Patrick McGoohan, the actor who portrayed Number Six in the groundbreaking 1960s television series The Prisoner, has passed away. He was 80 years old.
Though born in Queens, McGoohan found early success in London, where he was one of the most prolific and highest-paid actors of his generation, eventually accumulating enough clout to be able to dictate the behavior of his character in the popular spy series Danger Man. The show’s popularity spread to other countries, attracting the producers of the Bond films and The Saint; he was offered both roles, and turned them both down. McGoohan’s seeming ambivalence toward his career only fueled demand for his services, and by the time The Prisoner came along, he was able to define his terms.
The Prisoner‘s short 17-episode run didn’t keep it from becoming a fan favorite; in fact, the show’s popularity was so strong that when the series finale confounded expectations, viewer outrage prompted McGoohan to leave London for Los Angeles. After the move, McGoohan continued to work, albeit at a less intense clip, appearing in television series such as Columbo (where he won two Emmys) and films such as Scanners and Braveheart. (For a look at McGoohan’s complete filmography, just click here.)
McGoohan was in Los Angeles at the time of his death, which is being attributed to a short illness. For more about his life and career, visit the link below.
Source: Associated Press
