‘Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ Star Robert Vaughn Dies at 83

Robert Vaughn, who is remembered for his role as Napoleon Solo on 1960s NBC spy drama “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” died Friday morning after a brief battle with acute leukemia. He was 83.

Born Nov. 22, 1932 in New York City, Vaughn made his television debut on a 1955 episode of medical drama “Medic.” Other early guest roles included on “As the World Turns,” “Big Town,” “The Millionaire,” “Father Knows Best,” “Gunsmoke” and “The Rifleman.” His first film appearance was an uncredited role in “The Ten Commandments” in 1956, while led to western “Hell’s Crossroads” one year later. In 1959, he received a nomination for both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture in “The Young Philadelphians.”

He next appeared as gunman Lee in “The Magnificent Seven” in 1960. But it was television’s answer to “James Bond,” “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” from 1964 to 1968 that put him on the map.

In 1978, Vaughn won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series for “Washington: Behind Closed Doors.”

Vaughn and his “Man From U.N.C.L.E.” co-star, David McCallum, reunited in 1983 for a TV movie, “The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E.” More recently, Vaughn had starred for eight seasons on the British crime-caper series “Hustle,” playing Albert Stroller, the lone Yank in a band of London-based con artists. In 2006, he guest starred in an episode of NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU.”

Vaughn is survived by wife Linda, son Cassidy and daughter Caitlin.