This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33279566

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Avengers star Patrick Macnee dies Avengers star Patrick Macnee dies
(35 minutes later)
Actor Patrick Macnee, star of The Avengers TV series, has died in California at the age of 93.Actor Patrick Macnee, star of The Avengers TV series, has died in California at the age of 93.
The Briton, best known for playing John Steed in the 1960s television series, died at home with his family at his bedside, his son Rupert said.The Briton, best known for playing John Steed in the 1960s television series, died at home with his family at his bedside, his son Rupert said.
Macnee also played roles in theatre, appearing on Broadway, and served in the Royal Navy. Macnee also played roles in theatre, appearing on Broadway, and served in the Royal Navy during World War Two.
A statement on the actor's website read: "Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories."A statement on the actor's website read: "Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories."
The statement added: "Patrick Macnee was a popular figure in the television industry. He was at home wherever in the world he found himself. He had a knack for making friends, and keeping them." "Patrick Macnee was a popular figure in the television industry", the statement said. "He was at home wherever in the world he found himself. He had a knack for making friends, and keeping them."
He died peacefully at his home in California's Rancho Mirage on Thursday, Rupert said.He died peacefully at his home in California's Rancho Mirage on Thursday, Rupert said.
The London-born actor played a number of minor roles - including one in Laurence Olivier's Hamlet - before shooting to fame in the original Avengers series between 1961 and 1969. James Bond ally
He returned when the series was reprised in the 1970s, appearing alongside Joanna Lumley's Purdey and Gareth Hunt's Mike Gambit. Born in London and educated at Eton, Macnee first appeared in the West End while still in his teens.
He played a number of minor roles - including one in Laurence Olivier's 1948 film version of Hamlet - before rising to fame in the original Avengers series between 1961 and 1969.
He returned when that series was reprised as The New Avengers in the 1970s, appearing alongside Joanna Lumley's Purdey and Gareth Hunt's Mike Gambit.
He also appeared in the 1985 James Bond film A View to Kill, playing an ally of Roger Moore's Bond character.He also appeared in the 1985 James Bond film A View to Kill, playing an ally of Roger Moore's Bond character.
'Ahead of their time'
In a 2014 interview with The Lady magazine, Macnee said he believed The Avengers was a success because it "did something different and did it better."In a 2014 interview with The Lady magazine, Macnee said he believed The Avengers was a success because it "did something different and did it better."
He told the magazine: "It was beautifully written, the ideas were very good, way ahead of their time and they incorporated fantasies for people who dreamed of doing exciting things."He told the magazine: "It was beautifully written, the ideas were very good, way ahead of their time and they incorporated fantasies for people who dreamed of doing exciting things."
Macnee had two children, Rupert and daughter Kate Woodville, and one grandson.
He had been a US citizen since 1959, according to the AP news agency.