Patrick Macnee, the star of the popular 1960s television spy series The Avengers, has died at the age of 93 at his home in California.

The Briton — who achieved international fame with his portrayal of eccentric but suave secret agent John Steed, usually armed with only his trusty umbrella — died "a natural death... with his family at his bedside", his son Rupert said.

The actor — whose full name was Daniel Patrick Macnee — also performed on stage, in both London's West End and New York's Broadway, and served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

Born in London and educated at Britain's exclusive Eton school, Macnee returned to London after the war and eventually got some minor roles on stage and screen, including as an uncredited extra in Laurence Olivier's 1948 film version of Hamlet.

But his turn as Steed would bring him international fame.

Macnee starred alongside a bevy of beautiful women, most notably Diana Rigg in the role of Emma Peel.

The series was briefly rebooted in the 1970s as The New Avengers, with Joanna Lumley — who would later star in Absolutely Fabulous — as Purdey, one of his sidekicks.

Other notable roles for Macnee included an appearance in the James Bond film A View to a Kill in the 1980s, alongside Roger Moore's super-spy.

Later in life, he advocated stricter gun controls, according to his website.

Macnee spent the last 40 years living in California, and died at his home in Rancho Mirage.

"He was at home wherever in the world he found himself. He had a knack for making friends, and keeping them," said the statement on his website.

"Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories and good wishes."

Macnee was married three times. All three wives pre-deceased him. He had a son, Rupert, and a daughter.

Lord Snow, he played the Cylon Leader (The Imperious One) in the original Battlestar Galactica.

Farewell, my favourite spy.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

How sad to lose such a terrific actor. The ol' Avenger series was one of my favorites and I really enjoyed seeing he and Diana Rigg working together. They made a great pair.

RIP Patrick Macnee.

Yes DB, more class than Connery with humour to boot.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

Loved this show as a kid......

He lived a good long life

RIP

How many times did Steed kiss Mrs. Peel?

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Eudaimonia

I was going to be smart and ask, "On or off stage," but then, I thought better of it. Actually I don't know. I just know they worked well together in the Avengers series!

I think there were a couple of cheek kisses, but no romance.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

Yeah, I don't recall anything at all romantic.