Photo: Amy Graves/WireImage
Ron Masak, an actor best known for a recurring role oppositeAngela LansburyinMurder, She Wrote, has died. He was 86.
Masak’s daughter revealed that herfather died Thursdayin a post shared on Facebook. “He has touched so many lives and will be greatly missed,” she wrote.
The Hollywood Reporterlater confirmed through Masak’s granddaughter, Kaylie Defilippis, that hedied of natural causesat a hospital in Thousand Oaks, California.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
JB Lacroix/WireImage
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 1, 1936, Masak starred in various television roles throughout the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in series such asThe Twilight Zone,The Monkees,Get Smart,I Dream of Jeannie,BewitchedandThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, among others.
His big break, however, came in 1985, when he landed the role of Sheriff Mort Metzger onMurder, She Wrote. Masak appeared in over 40 episodes of the series until its end in 1996.
Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.
Masak also starred in more than 20 films, includingIce Station Zebra,Evel Knievel,Listen to Me,The BenchwarmersandAngels on Tap. Per hisIMDB page, Masak was set to appear in an upcoming project —Quigley 2, which is currently in pre-production.
The late star was also dubbed the “King of Commercials” in the 1980s and 1990s due to his voiceover work for Vlasic pickles, Rice-A-Roni and others, according to Deadline.
Everett Collection
Masak’s death comes about shortly after that of hisMurder, She Wrotecostar Lansbury, whodied at age 96earlier this month.
Lansbury starred as dauntless mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher opposite Masak’s Sheriff Mort Metzger for 12 years on CBS’Murder, She Wrote.
source: people.com
