Patrick McGoohan, RIP

The enigmatic star of Sixties spy-fi classics Danger Man/Secret Agent and The Prisoner, has passed away at age 80.

The Theater Mania website had this obituary:

Emmy Award winner and stage veteran Patrick McGoohan has died at age 80, according to the BBC.

Born in New York City, but raised in Ireland and England, McGoohan began his career on the stage in such shows as The Taming of the Shrew, Serious Charge, Orson Welles' Moby Dick Rehearsed, and Henrik Ibsen's Brand, which was filmed for television. His sole Broadway appearance was in Hugh Whitemore's 1985 play Pack of Lies, for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination.

McGoohan gained international fame in 1967 when he starred in the TV series The Prisoner, in which he played the role of Number Six. He later won two Emmy Awards for his guest spots on Columbo. The actor also appeared in numerous films including Mary, Queen of Scots, Ice Station Zebra, Silver Streak, and Braveheart.

He is survived by his wife Joan and their three children.

For me, I'll best remember him as the defiant, unbreakable Number Six, and – believe it or not – the ghost of The Phantom in the movie of the same name, where he popped up occasionally to offer advice to his son and successor, played by Billy Zane. He was charming, funny, and brought great warmth and heart to the film.

Thank you, Mister McGoohan, sir. Rest well.