The British actor Edward Woodward, who started his career treading the boards in Shakespearean rep but went on to become an iconic television hard man, has died at the age of 79.

Woodward found fame in the late 1960s with the TV spy series Callan, in which he played a reluctant professional hitman.

His greatest commercial success came almost two decades later in the American series The Equalizer in which he played Robert McCall, a former secret service agent turned urban vigilante.

In 1973 Woodward earned a place in cinematic history with a starring role in the horror movie The Wicker Man, in which he played a devoutly Christian police sergeant called to investigate the disappearance of a young girl from a sinister paganist community on a remote Scottish island.

The film, in which Woodward played alongside Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland, quickly achieved the status of cult classic. Its director, Robin Hardy, said of Woodward today: "He was one of the greatest actors of his generation, without any question, with a broad career on American television as well as British film.

"He was an absolute star of The Wicker Man. He was an extremely nice human being."

Woodward had been suffering from various illnesses, including pneumonia, and died in hospital, said his agent, Janet Glass.

She said: "Universally loved and admired through his unforgettable roles in classic productions such as Breaker Morant, The Wicker Man, Callan, The Equalizer and many more, he was equally fine and courageous in real life, never losing his brave spirit and wonderful humour throughout his illness.

"He was further sustained by the love of his wife, Michele, children, Tim, Peter, Sarah and Emily, his grandchildren and numerous friends. His passing will leave a huge gap in many lives."

Woodward recently joined EastEnders for a short stint as Tommy Clifford. His character drew out details of the past of another character, Patrick Trueman. Speaking about the role to What's On TV earlier this year, Woodward said: "I was very pleased. I only like to do a few jobs each year and I pick the ones I can't turn down. I liked the character and six episodes suited me."

He said that as well as working on an autobiography, he had been spending time painting watercolours, adding modestly: "I am not very good at it, but my friends and family all get a copy."

Woodward lived in the Padstow area of Cornwall, with his wife, the actress Michele Dotrice, who is known for playing Frank Spencer's long-suffering wife Betty in the classic sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.

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