Pink Panther Star Burt Kwouk Dies Aged 85

Actor Burt Kwouk has died aged 85, according to his agent.

The BBC reports the star, who’s best known for playing Cato in the ‘Pink Panther’ film, has sadly passed away although no further details are currently known.

A statement issued by his agent said: “Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away. The family will be having a private funeral but there will be a memorial at a later date.”

Kwouk played Inspector Clouseau’s faithful manservant Cato Fong (pictured below with Peter Sellers) in 7 ‘Pink Panther’ movies, and he also appeared in 3 James Bond films including ‘Goldfinger’.

Born in Warrington, Cheshire in 1930, Kwouk was brought up in Shangai before his family moved back to the UK in 1947. He began acting in the mid-1950s and made his movie debut in 1958′s ‘The Inn of the Sixth Happiness’.

He was a regular face on television in the 1960s and 1970s appearing in shows like ‘Danger Man’, ‘The Saint’, ‘The Avengers’, and ‘It Aint Half Hot Mum’.

He found great success in 1981 playing Major Yamauchi in ‘Tenko’, and from 2002 until 2010 he starred as Entwhistle in ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.

He was also a regular guest on ‘The Harry Hill Show’ and would later accompany the comedian on tour for his live shows.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to drama.

Stars of showbusiness have paid their respects on Twitter.

Image credits: Rex