Miguel Ferrer of 'NCIS: Los Angeles' and 'RoboCop' Dies

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Miguel Ferrer, who played authoritative characters on prime-time television shows ranging from "Twin Peaks" to "NCIS: Los Angeles," died Thursday of cancer.

CBS announced that the actor died peacefully at his Los Angeles home this morning, surrounded by his wife Lori, sons Lukas and Rafi, his brothers and sisters and friends. He was 61.

Ferrer had acting in his blood -- he was the son of actor Jose Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney.

His cousin, actor-director, George Clooney, issued a statement.

"Today history will mark giant change in our world, and lost to most will be that on that same day, Miguel Ferrer lost his battle to throat cancer," he said, referring to President Barack Obama's last day in office.

"Miguel made the world brighter and funnier and his passing is felt so deeply in our family that events of the day, (monumental events), pale in comparison," Clooney said.

Ferrer appeared in more than 40 movies and many television roles during his 37-year career, including seven seasons on "NCIS: Los Angeles.”

Ferrer will reprise his role as FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield in Showtime's new version of ABC's quirky early 1990s drama Twin Peaks," set to premiere on May 21.

He portrayed the chief medical examiner on the NBC series "Crossing Jordan."

Before becoming an actor, Ferrer was a successful studio musician who played drums in diverse bands, touring with his mother and Bing Crosby and recording with The Who drummer Keith Moon.

"Today, NCIS: Los Angeles lost a beloved family member," "NCIS: Los Angeles" showrunner R. Scott Gemmill said. "Miguel was a man of tremendous talent who had a powerful dramatic presence on screen, a wicked sense of humor and a huge heart.

Our thoughts go out to his wife, Lori, his sons, and his entire family."

"NCIS: Los Angeles" star Chris O'Donnell tweeted, "We lost a good one today. Miguel, I was proud to call you my friend. I will miss you."

City News Service; Photo: Youtube screengrab