‘Avengers’ TV Show Star Patrick Macnee Dies at 93

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: Variety



Patrick Macnee, famous for his role on “The Avengers” British TV series, died Thursday of natural causes at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 93.

Macnee, who played John Steed in the spy-fi show, died with his family at his bedside.

“Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories,” a statement on the actor’s website read. “Patrick Macnee was a popular figure in the television industry. He was at home wherever in the world he found himself. He had a knack for making friends, and keeping them.”

“The Avengers” initially focused on Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) and his assistant (Macnee), but Macnee’s famously bowler hat wearing, umbrella-wielding intelligence officer (he never used a gun) became the protagonist when Hendry exited the series. Macnee played the part alongside a succession of strong, female partners, including Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg and Joanna Lumley. The show ran from 1961 and 1969 and was reprised in the 1970s.

Read more: http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/patrick-macnee-dead-1201528377/

[LongTomH]

1. Oh, no! Another great actor from my youth, gone!

RIP, Patrick!

[Behind the Aegis]

2. I enjoyed watching those re-runs with my mom.

We just ordered the DVD set.

[onehandle]

3. One of my favorites. nt

[leveymg]

4. Certainly the most stylish and tastefully erotic spy show of all time. And, the most fun.

Last edited Sat Jun 27, 2015, 10:16 AM - Edit history (1)

It was all the stuff of my 12 year old dreams. The Blower Bentley, the Lotus Elan, the leather boots, the bowler hat. Particularly, Mrs. Peel (Dianna Rigg). I always thought Mr. Steed was a bit old for her, but he was an extremely good chap.

If Patrick MacNee goes to heaven, which he surely will, may it be like that wonderful, quirky place that John and Emma shared glasses of champagne in the 1960s.

[tabasco]

5. Wonderful actor

I enjoyed his work.

[AngryAmish]

6. Was he the guy who played The Hulk?

[PSPS]

7. He occasionally showd up on other shows, like Frasier

I loved The Avengers (Ian Hendry was only in the BBC-aired predecessor to the series broadcast in the US.)

Here's a brief clip of Steed and Peel that exhibits the witty dialog consistently provided by the writers. And, of course, there's the unforgettable title music by Laurie Johnson.

Jump to the 8:00 point

A couple of years ago, someone went through the painstaking task of remastering the whole series and posting them in magnificent HD quality on YouTube, but they were later taken down.

[Miles Archer]

8. I watched, and loved, every single episode of that show.

Diana Rigg was a "rite of passage" for young males everywhere, along with Julie Newmar as Catwoman, Barbara Eden as Jeannie, and Dawn Wells as Mary Ann.

Patrick seemed to have a natural "British Cool" that was different...he lacked the "mean edge" that so many of his fellow actors in a similar vein possessed. Of course, if you backed him into a corner he'd fight his way out...but he'd do it with class.

R.I.P., Patrick, and thanks for the memories.

[PCIntern]

10. That is exactly correct...

perfect post!

Thanks!

PC

[BumRushDaShow]

19. He was "refined".

[Art_from_Ark]

20. There was one episode that really freaked me out

I was about 7 years old and watched an episode that was supposed to take place in a haunted church. One of the people investigating the "hauntings" ended up getting impaled by a spear and tied to a bell cord, where his lifeless body rang the church bell as it bobbed up and down. That scene scared the daylights out of me, and it was ingrained in my memory for decades after that.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

9. Also, he was last surviving cast of the wonderful Alistair Sim "Christmas Carol"

which I watch every year

[choie]

15. Yes..

As a young Jacob Marley - the definitive version of "A Christmas Carol!"

[asjr]

11. I do remember that program. I was sad when Diana Rigg

left and never got used to her replacements. Brings back memories to me.

[Art_from_Ark]

18. Mrs. King replaced Mrs. Peel

and it just wasn't the same after that.

[Scalded Nun]

12. RIP Patrick.

Loved your work

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. Truly a gentleman.

Watched that show all the time when I was a kid.
Mr. MacNee was one of my first TV crushes. So gentlemanly and well dressed. And the boys could look at the beautiful Diana Rigg. j

Cheers to that glass of champagne in heaven.

[redwitch]

14. I had a major crush on him when I was little.

John Steed was a total hottie! The Avengers was delightful TV. RIP Sir.

[tomm2thumbs]

16. late night escape from the everyday!

Fun part of my childhood for sure.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. OH NO!

I knew he was still around but I am so sorry to see this news.

I was also a fan - not just from the Avengers but he appeared in many shows over the years and also lent his voice for the narration of the Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show In Luxor, Egypt. When I traveled to Egypt 20+ years ago and went to the Temple, as soon as the show started, I immediately recognized his voice - his voice is unmistakable.

One of my favorite appearances was when he guest-starred in the original Battlestar Galactica as the character "Count Iblis" in the 2-part episode "War of the Gods".

R.I.P.

[daleo]

21. We have been watching the episodes with Dianna Rigg

Both she and McNee were great. Lots of chemistry and screen presence.

[dembotoz]

22. when i see the title the avengers i think of peel and stead not the cartoon

superhero crap