British actor Joss Ackland is dead
His unmistakable voice and commanding presence have helped Joss Ackland to a successful acting career. However, the really big roles were denied to the Brit in Hollywood. Now he has died at the age of 95.
Joss Ackland is dead. The British actor, who was known for films such as "Lethal Weapon 2 - Brennpunkt L.A." from 1989, was 95 years old. Ackland passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday morning, his spokesman Paul Pearson told the US industry magazine "The Hollywood Reporter". "He was lucid, witty and mischievous to the end," Pearson added.
The actor, who appeared in more than 100 films and television series, was also described as a "beloved father" in a statement released to the BBC by his family. Joss Ackland was married to his wife Rosemary for 51 years before she died in 2002. The couple had seven children, the eldest son Paul died of a heroin overdose in 1982 at the age of 29.
According to the BBC, his family said: "With his unmistakable voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his role. He will be remembered as one of Britain's most talented and popular actors."
Joss Ackland, who was born in London, began his film career in the early 1950s. In addition to his appearance in "Lethal Weapon 2" with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Ackland celebrated success with the films "Mighty Ducks - The Superteam" (1992) alongside Emilio Estevez, "The Last Days in Kenya" (1987) and "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), in which he shot with Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin, among others. Joss Ackland was also successful as a theater actor. In 2000, the actor was honored with the Order of the British Empire.
Source: www.ntv.de
