Robert Vaughn, Star of ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’, Has Passed Away at 83
Robert Vaughn, best known for his television roles in such classics as The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and The Protectors, has passed away at the age of 83. Vaughn, who began his career in the ’50s with appearances on shows like As the World Turns and West Point, died today, November 11. His manager, Matthew Sullivan, confirmed that Vaughn succumbed to a fight with acute leukemia.
Via Deadline, Sullivan confirmed the passing of the veteran actor, stating, “Mr. Vaughn passed away with his family around him,” including his wife Linda, and his children Cassidy and Caitlin. Vaughn was best known — and will be best remembered — for the role of Napoleon Solo on NBC’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E., in which he played an American agent who teams with a Russian (played by David McCallum) to defeat evil global forces. The series ran for 105 episodes between 1964 and 1968, and led to a short-lived spinoff, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.
In addition to his successful television career, Vaughn appeared in classic films like The Ten Commandments and The Magnificent Seven, and earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his supporting role in the 1959 film The Young Philadelphians. An acclaimed and talented actor, Vaughn took his work seriously — but not too seriously, as evidenced by his memorable roles in Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s BASEketball and the Chris Rock comedy Pootie Tang.
In later years, he had recurring roles on BBC shows Coronation Street and Hustle, and recently appeared on episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His final film, the indie drama Gold Star, was released in October.