Actor David Hedison (L) speaks as British actor Sir Roger Moore (R) is honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, on Oct. 11, 2007. (Michael Buckner/AFP/Getty Images)
Actor David Hedison has died aged 92, his family said.
Hedison, perhaps best known for portraying James Bond’s CIA pal Felix Leiter in two 007 films, passed away on Thursday, July 18, according to the BBC.
“Even in our deep sadness, we are comforted by the memory of our wonderful father,” his daughters Alexandra and Serena said in a statement, Variety reported. “He loved us all dearly and expressed that love every day. He was adored by so many, all of whom benefited from his warm and generous heart.”
“Our dad brought joy and humor wherever he went and did so with great style,” the statement said.
Hedison starred alongside Roger Moore in the 1973 James Bond film “Live and Let Die.” Then, in 1989, he portrayed the same character—CIA agent Felix Leiter—in “Licence to Kill,” featuring Timothy Dalton.
Moore and Hedison reportedly had a friendship off-screen, and in 2007 Hedison delivered a speech at the unveiling of Moore’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Actor David Hedison (L) delivers a speech as British actor Sir Roger Moore (R) is honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, on Oct. 11, 2007. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)
According to Hedison’s bio on IMDB, his first significant role was in the 1958 science fiction-horror classic “The Fly,” in which he played a scientist whose matter transmitter experiments cause him to morph into a grotesque human-fly hybrid.
Hedison’s other credits include playing Spencer Harrison on the daytime series “Another World,” and Captain Lee Crane in the sci-fi television series “Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea,” the latter arguably his most famous role.
Before embarking on an acting career, Hedison served in the Navy, according to IMDB, in the capacity of “a Seaman 2nd Class, working on mothballing decommissioned warships.”
His wife, Bridget, was a production associate on “Dynasty” and an assistant to the producer on “The Colbys,” Metro reported. She died in 2016.
He is survived by his two daughters Serena and Alexandra.
Celebrities Lost in 2019
Peggy Lipton
Actress Peggy Lipton, who starred in David Lynch’s iconic show “Twin Peaks,” and the 1960s show “The Mod Squad,” died on May 11 at the age of 72.
The cause of death was cancer.
Actress Rashida Jones (C) poses with her father Quincy Jones and her mother Peggy Lipton, at the premiere of "Celeste and Jesse Forever" at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 20, 2012. Lipton died of cancer at age 72. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok/AP Photo, File)
Nipsey Hussle
Rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot dead at the age of 33 in South Los Angeles on March 31.
Nipsey Hussle and Lauren London in Los Angeles, on Feb. 7, 2019. The rapper was shot dead in late March. (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)
Iconic “Boyz N The Hood” director and the youngest ever Oscar nominee for best picture died after spending days in a coma following a stroke.
John Singleton at the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, Calif., on March 4, 2018. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Peter Tork
Peter Tork, a member of the 1960s TV rock quartet the Monkees, died in February at the age of 77.
His death was announced on his official Facebook page. “Peter succumbed to a 10 year bout with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer of the salivary glands,” the statement read.
Peter Tork of the Monkees died at 77 in February 2019. (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Albert Finney
Five-time Oscar nominee Albert Finney died aged 82 after a short illness.
The BBC cited a statement from a family spokesman announcing the British actor’s death: “Albert Finney, aged 82, passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side.”
British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)
James Ingram
Longtime R&B singer James Ingram died in late January. Quincy Jones, a collaborator of his, wrote, “With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James Ingram was simply magical ... every beautiful note that James sang pierced your essence and comfortably made itself at home.”
Singer James Ingram died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)
Freddie Starr
Celebrity comedian Freddie Starr died aged 76 at his home in Spain, according to reports.
The body of the British-born funnyman was reportedly discovered by a carer at his apartment in Mijas on the Costa del Sol on May 9, the Mirror reported.
Starr had been ill.
A neighbor, who asked not to be named, told the Mirror: “His carer found him dead in his chair at around 3:30 p.m. Police arrived first and then later an ambulance arrived and he was taken away.
“His next door neighbor, who is a nurse, said he was definitely dead. She said she thinks he may have suffered a heart attack.”
Legendary comedian Freddie Starr at the British Comedy Awards at Fountain Studios in London, on Dec. 16, 2011. (Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
Kelly Jobanputra
BBC Radio 6 music presenter Kelly Jobanputra, of Swindon in southwest England, died on April 26, according to the Swindon Advertiser. She was tragically struck and killed by a train, according to reports.
The celebrity radio host had just turned 40 in April, The Sun reported, and last year had given birth to her second child.
Kelly Jobanputra poses for a photograph she posted on Twitter on March 31, 2019. (@KelJobanputra/Twitter)
Fatima Ali
“Top Chef” alum Fatima Ali died on Jan. 25, after a battle with terminal cancer. She was 29.
Former “Top Chef” contestant Bruce Kalman paid tribute to her: “It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer,” he wrote.
“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram)
Carol Channing
Broadway star Carol Channing, known for portraying Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and Dolly Gallagher Levi in “Hello, Dolly!,” died aged 97.
Channing died of natural causes at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Variety reported.
Her publicist B. Harlan Boll confirmed her death, writing: “It is with extreme heartache, that I have to announce the passing of an original Industry Pioneer, Legend and Icon — Miss Carol Channing. Saying good-bye is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but I know that when I feel those uncontrollable urges to laugh at everything and/or nothing at all, it will be because she is with me, tickling my funny bone.”
Carol Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television, died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll said Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)
Bob Einstein
Actor, writer, and producer Bob Einstein, perhaps best known for portraying the bumbling stuntman Super Dave Osborne, died on Jan. 2 at the age of 76. The cause of death was cancer.
Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Daryl Dragon
Daryl Dragon, or “Captain,” of pop group Captain and Tennille, died on Jan. 2 of renal failure.
Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)
Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Tom Ozimek is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times. He has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communications, and adult education.
