Diana Rigg, Patrick Macnee In 1960s British Spy Series 'The Avengers' (Photo : YouTube)
The popular secret agent John Steed in the 1960s spy TV series "The Avengers," Patrick Macnee, died peacefully on June 25, Thursday, at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 93.
The news of the late actor's demise was given by his son, Rupert Macnee, on his website. He is survived by a son, a daughter and a grandson.
Born and brought up in and around London, the late actor had quintessentially English style, which reflected perfectly in his internationally recognized character of Steed. Starting his acting career at a very young age, Patrick appeared in a few London stage productions and films before joining the coastal forces of the Royal Navy in 1941.
After spending next 15 years bouncing between England and Canada, the late actor settled in U.S. in 1959, where he got his first major breakthrough in show business.
In the first season of "The Avengers," his character was a subordinate to David Keel, a doctor played by Ian Hendry. As the season progressed, Patrick's role grew in leaps and bounds, owing to his popularity and Hendry's exit from the show.
The show ran successfully for 161 episodes before winding up in 1969. The late actor later reprised his role the British series "The New Avengers," with Steed occupying a more supervisory role.
The late actor also appeared in the 1985 James Bond film "A View to a Kill," playing an ally of Roger Moore's Bond character along with a cameo appearance as the head of a record company in "This is Spinal Tap," BBC reported.
"I've always been a bit eccentric," famously said the late actor once, who also appeared in two music videos, Pretenders' "Don't Get Me Wrong" and Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger," CNN reported.
