Celebrities
Published November 19, 2023, 6:08 PM ET
Famed British actor and “Mighty Ducks” alum Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95. ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
British actor Joss Ackland has died aged 95.
The family of the “Mighty Ducks” and “White Mischief” actor said the star died “peacefully” on Sunday surrounded by his family.
“With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and seriousness to his roles,” the statement continued. “He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and best-loved actors.”
Ackland’s relatives called him a “beloved father.” He had seven children with his wife of 51 years, Rosemary Kirkcaldy, before she died of motor neurone disease in 2002. He also had 32 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
“Joss was a long-time customer and great friend who remained lucid, educated and mischievous until the end,” Ackland’s representative told The Post.
Details of the cause of death of the distinguished CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) recipient are still unclear.
In a career spanning six decades, Ackland has starred with some of the most famous names on screen, including Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench.
British acting legend Joss Ackland has died aged 95, according to a statement released by his family. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Details regarding the cause of death of the renowned CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) recipient are still unclear. TPLP/Getty Images
The BAFTA nominee, who attended London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, made his stage debut at the age of 17 in the 1945 production of The Hasty Heart.
After a series of lucrative roles, Ackland and his wife decided to move to South Africa until police raided their home in 1957 and confiscated the book Black Beauty, fearing the story spoke against apartheid.
“Then one day we were searched by the police and they confiscated a book called ‘Black Beauty’ because the horse was black,” the actor once told the Chron. “I was facing jail time, so I got out quickly.”
The BAFTA nominee, who attended London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, made his stage debut at the age of 17 in the 1945 production of The Hasty Heart. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
After his return, the actor joined the well-known non-profit theater group Old Vic and his career really took off.
After starring in several high-profile films such as “Lethal Weapon 2” and the “Mighty Ducks” series as Hans opposite Emilio Estevez, Ackland told the BBC he was a workaholic and regretted his appearance in some “terrible films”.
In the statement, the “Hunt for Red October” actor’s family said the star died “peacefully” while “surrounded by his family.” Ian Gavan/Getty Images
“I’m so tired of not being able to make a movie without there being a car chase or the bad guy dying twice – it’s all exactly the same,” the actor said in 2001, according to The Telegraph.
He added: “I do a lot of crap, but if it’s not immoral I don’t mind. I’m a workaholic.”
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