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Daniel Patrick Macnee, better known as Patrick Macnee, was an English actor who became a household name for his role as secret agent John Steed in the popular television series The Avengers.
In today’s article, we take a look into his life as we find out more about him as well as his cause of death and how it happened.
Patrick Macnee’s Biography
Patrick Macnee was born on February 6, 1922, in London, to parents Daniel and Dorothea Macnee. His father was a well-known racehorse trainer, while his mother was a socialite. Macnee shared his childhood with his younger brother James, who was born five years later.
When Macnee was a child, his parents divorced, and his mother began living with her affluent lover, Evelyn Spottiswoode. Despite his parents’ divorce, Macnee had a happy childhood and attended top schools including Summer Fields School and Eton College.
He was a member of the Officer Training Corps at Eton and was even part of King George V’s guard of honour.
Macnee’s time at Eton, however, came to an end when he was expelled for indulging in activities such as selling pornography and acting as a bookmaker for his classmates.
Despite his expulsion, Macnee maintained his acting ambition and enrolled at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He was called up for military service in the Royal Navy just as he was ready to get his first West End main role alongside Vivien Leigh.
Macnee worked as a navigator on Motor Torpedo Boats in the English Channel and North Sea during WWII. When his boat and crew were lost in action, he developed bronchitis and was hospitalised.
Macnee began his acting career in Canada after leaving the Royal Navy in 1946, before returning to England. He starred in a number of British films and TV plays, including Scrooge and The Battle of the River Plate.
Macnee became disillusioned with his career advancement in the late 1950s and turned to heavy smoking and drinking. His circumstances altered, however, when he was offered the role of John Steed in The Avengers.
The Avengers, which broadcast from 1961 to 1969, became a global success, propelling Macnee to international stardom. He co-starred with a number of female actors, including Honour Blackman, Diana Rigg, and Linda Thorson.
As the suave secret agent, Macnee featured in nearly all of the show’s 161 episodes, exhibiting his charm, wit, and perfect elegance.
Macnee had a successful film career in addition to his work on The Avengers. He has prominent appearances in films such as A View to a Kill, This Is Spinal Tap, and Scrooge as a young Jacob Marley. Macnee was one of the few actors who played both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in separate shows.
Macnee was also a gifted writer who co-wrote two novels based on The Avengers. He also hosted The Avengers: The Journey Back, a documentary about the show’s history. Macnee’s fame extended to the music scene when he and co-star Honour Blackman scored a UK Top 10 hit with their song “Kinky Boots” in 1990, which got renewed interest on BBC Radio One.
Macnee has three marriages and two children in his personal life. He became a US citizen in 1959 and lived in Rancho Mirage, California, for the bulk of his life.
Macnee died at home on June 25, 2015, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved actors of his generation.
Patrick Macnee Cause Of Death
Patrick Macnee is reported to have died from a natural cause as there is no information about anything that led to his demise.
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