Veteran British actor James Booth, star of stage, film and TV, has died at the age of 77.

Booth died Thursday at his home in Essex, England, the BBC reported Tuesday. No cause of death was given.

His last film role was a grumpy old man in "Keeping Mum," a comedy starring Rowan Atkinson and Maggie Smith released earlier this year.

Booth was well known on the British theater scene before he was cast in the 1964 classic, "Zulu." His portrayal of Pvt. Henry Hook as a thieving drunk would later inspire a campaign to restore the reputation of the Victoria Cross-winning soldier, the BBC said. 

Booth split his time between Britain and Hollywood and achieved fame in the United States as ex-convict Ernie Niles in the cult TV show, "Twin Peaks."

He is survived by his wife and four children.

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