Veteran actor John Forsythe, best known for his roles in the 80s soap Dynasty and classic 70s show Charlie's Angels, has died aged 92. Forsythe, who had been suffering from cancer, passed away at his home in Santa Ynez, California on April 1, from complications of pneumonia. "Thankfully, he died as he lived his life... with dignity and grace, after a year-long struggle with cancer," his family said in a statement He began acting in films in the 1940s, with his big screen credits including the Alfred Hitchcock films Topaz and The Trouble With Harry, and also had a distinguished stage career. However he was best known for his role as Blake Carrington in Aaron Spelling's hit US soap Dynasty, which ran from 1981-1989. The role won him two Golden Globes for Best Actor, and he also received three Emmy nominations during his time on the show. Co-star Joan Collins, who played Forsythe's vengeful ex-wife Alexis Colby on the soap, was among those who paid tribute to the actor. "He was one of the last of the true gentlemen of the acting profession," Collins said in a statement. "I enjoyed our nine years of feuding, fussing and fighting as the Carringtons." Another of his Dynasty co-stars, Heather Locklear, described Forsythe as "a gifted actor who knew the true meaning of being gracious and kind". He also found fame as Charlie in the hit show Charlie's Angels, which ran from 1976-1981 - despite the fact that he was never actually seen on screen. Instead, his voice was heard as he delivered assignments to the 'Angels' over the phone. He reprised the role in the two films based on the show, which starred Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Demi Moore. "I'm mourning with the rest of the world for the talented, gorgeous, funny, intelligent John Forsythe," Charlie's Angels star Cheryl Ladd said. Forsythe himself was renowned for his lack of ego and his self-depracating sense of humour. In an interview in 1981 he said, I figure there are a few actors like Marlon Brando, George C Scott and Laurence Olivier who have been touched by the hand of God. I'm in the next bunch." He is survived by his third wife Nicole, whom he wed in 2002, one son, two daughters, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
