British TV and film star George Cole passed away Wednesday, reported Variety. He died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, U.K., at 90 years old, following an undisclosed illness, agent Derek Webster told the BBC. He was surrounded by his family.
"He was one of those characters you never thought you are going to be without, both as an actor and a character," said Webster, according to the BBC. "He was a great guy to work with and a real genuine gentleman."
Born in South London, Cole got his start in theater in 1939 when he appeared in the chorus of "White Horse Inn" when he was 14 years old, according to Fox News. He went on to star in the 1951 version of "A Christmas Carol," and was featured alongside Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 classic "Cleopatra."
But it was his longtime role as Cockney conman Arthur Daley on the British TV series "Minder" that made him a household name. He worked on the show for 16 years, costarring with fellow Brit Dennis Waterman. The series drew an audience of about 17 million, according to Variety.
"I am so sad to hear of George's death. His family must be devastated, and I am absolutely certain that anybody who ever knew him, will feel the same," Waterman told the BBC. "I'm so grateful to have been a friend of this wonderful man. We worked together for many years, and my boast is that we laughed all day every day.
