Joss Ackland, Actor from Lethal Weapon 2 and Mighty Ducks, Dead at 95: ‘One of Britain’s Most Talented’

Joss Ackland, an actor known for his roles in Lethal Weapon 2 and Hunting for Red Octoberdied at the age of 95.

The actor’s rep, Paul Pearson, confirmed to PEOPLE that Ackland died Sunday morning “with his family by his side.” Added Pearson, “He was lucid, erudite and mischievous to the end. I loved him very much and, to me, he is the reason we have the word magnificent in the dictionary.”

Deadline reported a statement shared by the actor’s family, which read: “With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his role.”

They added: “He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and best-loved actors.”

Tribute to celebrities who died in 2023

The London-born actor’s film career spans more than six decades and more than 100 films and TV appearances.

In 1989 Lethal Weapon 2co-starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Ackland’s villain Arjen Rudd delivered a memorable line of dialogue, “Diplomatic immunity.”

Joss Ackland October 5, 2007

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Apart from that action sequel in the 1990s Hunt for Red October, Ackland is also known for his roles in Bill and Ted’s Fake Trip, White Mischief and Mighty ducks.

Back in 2001, Ackland admitted to the Radio Times, according to The Guardian , that he had acted in “an awful lot of crap” over the years.

Joss Ackland in “Lethal Weapon 2” (1989).

Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

“I do a lot of shit, but if it’s not immoral, I don’t mind. I’m a workaholic. Sometimes it’s a form of masochism,” he said at the time.

“I was in Mad dogs and the English, the Liz Hurley thing, which was terrible and rightfully ripped to shreds. Then it was Passion of the mind last year with Demi Moore. A terrible script — terrible actually, but I needed the money,” Ackland continued.

Joss Ackland, 1997.

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

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On being cast as the villain, he added, “I’m so tired of not being able to make a movie without a car chase or the villain dying twice. It’s all exactly the same.”

According to Diversitythe actor’s wife Rosemary died in 2002. They were married for 51 years.

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Source: HIS Education