Avengers star Patrick Macnee dies at 93

Patrick Macnee, who starred as John Steed in the 1960s television show The Avengers, died Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 93.

Born in London, Macnee appeared in plays on the West End as a teenager, and served in the Royal Navy during World War II, the BBC reports. He found success as the dapper John Steed in The Avengers, which ran from 1961 to 1969, and then reprised the role for The New Avengers in the 1970s. Macnee believed The Avengers did well because "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 Lady magazine during a 2014 interview.

Macnee also appeared in A View to Kill, This is Spinal Tap, and several other movies and TV shows. He is survived by son Rupert Macnee, daughter Kate Woodville, and one grandson.

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