Chariots of Fire star Nigel Davenport dies

VETERAN actor Nigel Davenport, best known for his role as Lord Birkenhead in Chariots of Fire, has died, according to British newspaper reports.

BELOVED British actor Nigel Davenport has reportedly died at the age of 85.

Davenport, who's best remembered for his role as Lord Birkenhead in the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire, died last Friday, British newspapers reported on Tuesday.

The iconic film with the haunting instrumental theme tune by Vangelis is about two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew. It won four Oscars in 1982, including Best Picture.

His film and TV career spanned five decades. His big screen credits include the Born Free sequel Living Free, The Island of Dr Moreau and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.

Davenport also appeared on British TV in hit series The Adventures of Robin Hood, Howards' Way and The Saint.

He was among the founders of the English Stage Company at the Royal Court theatre, and he served as president of acting union British Actors' Equity Association in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

He is the father of Pirates of the Caribbean star Jack Davenport.