Robert Vaughn, the actor best known for his roles in the classic Western The Magnificent Seven and the 1960s NBC spy series The Man From U.N.C.L.E has passed away.
Vaughn’s manager confirmed the news today in a press release:
“Mr. Vaughn passed away with his family around him,” the statement read.
Sources say Vaughn had recently been diagnosed with Leukemia.
Though best known for his work on such beloved TV series as Gunsmoke, Father Knows Best, Wagon Train, The Rifleman and The Dick Van Dyke Show, Vaughn also racked up more than 200 film credits over the course of his more than 60-year career.
Film fans will remember his roles in The Magnificent Seven, Bullitt and The Young Philadelphians, for which he was nominated for an Academy ward for Best Supporting Actor.
Directing and casting agents knew that Vaughn was fully able to laugh at his image as an icon of cool, which led to winking, stunt-casting roles in such recent comedies as the Chris Rock-produced Pootie Tang and the Trey parker and Matt Stone vehicle BASEketball.
He continued to work until the end of his life with roles on the UK series Hustle and Coronation Street.
Born in New York City, Vaughn moved to the West Coast for college when he was in his teens.
In the 1970s, he went back to school and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California.
His dissertation, “Only Victims: A Study of Show Business Blacklisting,” was publsshed in 1972.
Vaughn’s acclaimed memoir, A Fortunate Life, was published in 2009.
Tributes to Vaughn from fans and colleagues have made his name a trending topic on social media in the hours since word of his death went public:
“Oh no. Robert Vaughn, such a fine actor, one of the best Columbo villains (no higher praise than that) & an utterly charming man, has died.” – Stephen Fry
“So sorry to hear the news about Robert Vaughn.” – Sir Roger Moore
“RIP Napoleon Solo! The great Robert Vaughn was the coolest guy on TV when I was a kid. Superb in Bullitt, The Magnificent Seven & many more.” – Edgar Wright
“#RIPRobertVaughn. The last of the Magnificent Seven, dead. YOUR SYMBOLISM IS LIKE A SLEDGEHAMMER, 2016.” – Patton Oswalt
Vaughn is survived by his wife, Linda Staab, and two daughters.
