MUMBAI: New York born on-screen and stage performer Ben Gazzara passed away on 3 February at Bellevue Hospital Centre, New York. He was 81 years old.

Gazzara was suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Starting his career in 1950s as a stage actor, Gazzara has worked in movies and television for over five decades.

His credits include NBC‘s Run for Your Life (1965-1968), which earned him two Emmy nominations and TV movie An Early Frost (1985).

During his career, Gazzara appeared in more than 100 feature films and TV movies, including the indie films he made with writer-director John Cassavetes. Husbands, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie and Opening Night which are his notable works. He also directed two mid-1970s episodes of Peter Falk‘s drama Columbo.

He won an Emmy for 2002 HBO production Hysterical Blindness.

Married thrice, Gazzara is survived by his third wife Elke, daughters Elizabeth and Danja, and brother Anthony.