Actor William Morgan Sheppard died Sunday, January 6 in Los Angeles, California, with his wife by his side, at the age of 86, according to his son and fellow actor, Mark Sheppard.

 

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We went to spend some time with my father today. Though he couldn’t speak, we held hands, he laughed and was so happy to see us. We left and came home. A good day. He was rushed to hospital and passed at 6:30pm, my mother by his side. I am so grateful that he didn’t have to suffer any longer. Thank you for all your kind thoughts, love and prayers.

A post shared by Mark Sheppard (@realmarksheppard) on Jan 6, 2019 at 8:16pm PST

Sheppard is best known for his appearances in science fiction television, having appeared in Doctor Who, Babylon 5, Max Headroom, and in several series of Star Trek. He also played the Rura Penthe commandant in the movie Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

William Morgan Sheppard played the older version of Canton Everett Delaware III in the eleventh Doctor episode of Doctor Who titled The Impossible Astronaut. His son, Mark Sheppard, played the younger version of the character.

Sheppard graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1958 and spent 12 years as associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He appeared on Broadway in the 1966 production of Marat/Sade and the 1975 version of Sherlock Holmes. He won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for The Homecoming in 1995.

He is survived by his wife and children.