“The Birds” Actor Rod Taylor Dead at 84
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Rod Taylor, the Australian actor who starred in the classic Alfred Hitchcock horror film The Birds and the 1960 version of The Time Machine, has died.
Taylor died Wednesday of natural causes at his home, according his rep, who spoke to People magazine. He was 84.
Taylor played Mitch Brenner in The Birds, which was released in 1963. His co-star, Tippi Hedren, says in a statement, “There are so many incredible feelings I have for him. Rod was a great pal to me and a real strength, we were very, very good friends.”
Taylor’s other notable film credits included the animated Disney movie 101 Dalmatians, in which he voiced Pongo; the Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton film The V.I.P.s; the 1965 movie 36 Hours; and Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, in which he portrayed Winston Churchill. The latter was his final role.
Taylor also appeared in the TV series Hong Kong, Bearcats!, The Oregon Trail and Falcon Crest, among other programs.
Taylor is survived by his wife, Carol, and their daughter, former CNN correspondent Felicia Taylor.
Felicia Taylor says in a statement, “My dad loved his work. Being an actor was his passion — calling it an honorable art and something he couldn’t live without.”
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