Actor Robert Vaughn Dead at 83

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. star Robert Vaughn has died at age 83.

The TV and movie veteran, who originated the secret agent character Napoleon Solo and also appeared in the original The Magnificent Seven and Steve McQueen classic Bullitt, lost his battle with acute leukemia in New York on Friday morning, surrounded by his family.

Born in the Big Apple in 1932 and raised in Minnesota, Vaughn studied journalism at the University of Minnesota before becoming an actor. He received an Oscar nomination for playing Paul Newman’s sidekick in 1959’s The Young Philadelphians, and he also appeared in Superman III and cult comedy Pootie Tang.

He picked up an Emmy Award for playing a character based on Richard Nixon’s chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, in 1977 mini-series The Company.

He received another Emmy nomination for portraying Woodrow Wilson in the 1979 mini-series Backstairs at the White House. He also appeared on The A-Team and British series The Protectors, Hustle, and Coronation Street.

Vaughn’s final film, Gold Star, was released last month. His autobiography, A Fortunate Life, hit book stores in 2009.

Confirming the sad news of the actor’s death on Friday, his manager Mathew Sullivan said, “Mr. Vaughn passed away at 7:30 this morning. He was a great human being and a great actor.”

A memorial wreath was placed on the actor’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1:00 p.m. local time on Friday.