Actor George Dickerson, popular for playing police detective John Williams in the 1986 film Blue Velvet, died at the age of 81.
Mr Dickerson's son, writer-director Dome Karukoski, announced the news on his official Facebook page.
According to Mr Karukoski, Mr Dickerson passed away on January 10 after a long illness. He had been living here.
Mr Dickerson played a recurring role as Police Commander Swanson in the first season of the acclaimed 1980s cop drama Hill Street Blues.
Before turning to acting, Mr Dickerson worked as a magazine writer, poet, editor and playwright; was a United Nations diplomat in Lebanon; and served as a speechwriter for US Congressman Robert Steele.
Mr Dickerson also appeared in the films Psycho II, No Mercy, Death Wish 4: The Crackdown and A Stranger in the Kingdom.
He was also a part of the TV series The Incredible Hulk, Little House on the Prairie, Miami Vice, Hunter, Three's Company, Father Murphy, Sledge Hammer! and LA Law.
