Robert Vaughn, 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Star, Dies at 83

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Robert Vaughn, who starred in the 1960s television show "Man From U.N.C.L.E.," died Friday. He was 83.

Vaughn, a New York City native, had battled leukemia recently. “Mr. Vaughn passed away with his family around him,” Vaughn's manager Matthew Sullivan told Deadline.

The actor is survived by wife Linda, son Cassidy and daughter Caitlin. Vaughn starred in numerous shows but is best remembered for playing Napoleon Solo in "U.N.C.L.E.," which aired for five years in the 1960s, Deadline reports.

Vaughn also appeared in legendary television shows including "Gunsmoke," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Rifleman" and several popular movies including "Superman III" (1983) and "The Towering Inferno" (1974).

"Man From U.N.C.L.E." is best described as a James Bond-influenced cop show, Variety says, adding that it was a “pop-culture phenomenon” in the '60s. It’s popularity led to a spinoff called “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.”

Vaughn’s career took off after his performance in the 1959 Paul Newman movie, “The Young Philadelphians,” and the actor received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role, Variety reports.

Vaughn went on to star in the 1970s television show “The Protectors,” a crime-fighting series that lasted a few years, Variety reports. He then turned back to movies including playing Harry S. Truman in “The Towering Inferno.”

Vaughn joined another pop culture phenomenon television show in 1986 when he was added to the cast of “The A-Team," but by then the once-No. 1 rated show in television was in a steep ratings decline.

The actor also appeared in several episodes of the Law & Order franchise including an episode in 2015 on "Law & Order Special Victims Unit."

This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates.

By NBC Television (eBay item photo front press release photo back) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Read the full Variety story here.

Read the full Deadline story here.