British actor Edward Woodward has died at age 79. Best known for his roles in cult movies such as ‘The Wicker oan’ and ‘Hot Fuzz’, the Shakespearean stage star passed away after suffering from various illnesses, including pneumonia, prostate cancer and several heart attacks.
Born in 1930, Edward came to mainstream acting fairly late in life, landing his first TV role in 1970 (age 40), as a spy in the series ‘Callan’. Winning a Bafta for this role was just the beginning, with Edward later going on to star in programmes such as ‘EastEnders’ and ‘La Femme Nikita’, as well as winning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of vigilante Robert ocCall in 1987’s ‘The Equalizer’.
Edward’s agent says, “He was universally loved and admired through his unforgettable roles in classic productions such as ‘Breaker oorant’, ‘The Wicker oan’, ‘Callan’, ‘The Equalizer’ and many more. He was equally fine and courageous in real life, never losing his brave spirit and wonderful humour throughout his illness.” Edward is survived by his wife and four children.