Robert Vaughn dies at 83: 10 little known facts about the veteran actor

The American-born actor was suffering from acute leukaemia was receiving treatment for the disease.

Robert Vaughn
Actor Robert Vaughn answers questions at the Television Critics Association 2007 Reuters

Robert Vaughn, who shot to fame after playing Napoleon Solo in television spy series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, died on 11 November at the age of 83 after his prolonged battle with leukaemia.

It was reported that his manager also confirmed the news saying that Vaughn passed away in the hospital surrounded by his wife Linda Staab and two children, Cassidy and Caitlin.

The American-born actor was suffering from acute leukaemia for quite some time and was receiving treatment for the disease.

Vaughn appeared in at least 200 movies and TV shows over his 60-year career and was the last surviving actor from the original Magnificent Seven movie.

Here are some less known facts about the veteran actor:

  • Vaughn was born in New York City and has an Irish, French, and German ancestry
  • After completing his school, he was enrolled as a journalism major student in the University of Minnesota.
  • However, he dropped out soon and shifted to Los Angeles where he earned a master's degree in theatre from Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences.
  • He also received a Ph.D. in communications from the University of Southern California in 1970.
  • Vaughn made his television debut with "Black Friday" episode of the American TV series Medic, in 1955.
  • Vaughn's first notable appearance was in The Young Philadelphians in 1959 which fetched him a nomination for both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor .
  • He played a different role, Judge Oren Travis, on the 1998-2000 syndicated TV series The Magnificent Seven.
  • Apart from movies, he co-starred in the British TV drama series Hustle, made for BBC One in 2004.
  • Vaughn also appeared as himself narrating and being a character in a radio play broadcast by BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
  • It was also announced in November 2011, that Vaughn would appear for three weeks in the British soap opera Coronation Street.

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