Celebrities

‘Mighty Ducks’ and ‘Lethal Weapon 2’ actor Joss Ackland dead at 95

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Social Links for Jack Hobbs
Published Nov. 19, 2023, 6:08 p.m. ET
Joss Ackland
Famed British actor and "Mighty Ducks" alum Joss Ackland is dead at the age of 95. ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

British actor Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95.

The “Mighty Ducks” and “White Mischief” actor’s family said the star passed away “peacefully” while being “surrounded by family” on Sunday.

“With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his roles,” the statement continued. “He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and beloved actors.”

Ackland’s loved ones called him a “beloved father.” He had seven children with his wife of 51 years, Rosemary Kirkcaldy, before she died in 2002 from motor neuron disease. He also had 32 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

“Joss was a long-term client and great friend who remained lucid, erudite and mischievous to the very end,” Ackland’s rep told The Post.

Details surrounding the prestigious CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) recipient’s cause of death are still unclear.

Ackland’s six-decade career saw the North Kensington native acting with some of the most notable names to grace the silver screen, including Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench.

Joss Ackland
Joss Ackland in 1996’s “D3: The Mighty Ducks.” ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
British acting legend Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95 according to a statement released by his family.
British acting legend Joss Ackland has died at the age of 95 according to a statement released by his family. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Details surrounding the prestigious CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) recipient's cause of death are still unclear.
Details surrounding the prestigious CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) recipient’s cause of death are still unclear. TPLP/Getty Images

The BAFTA nominee, who attended London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, made his stage debut in the 1945 production of “The Hasty Heart” at the age of 17.

After a string of several lucrative roles, Ackland and his wife decided to move to South Africa until 1957 when police raided their home and confiscated the book “Black Beauty” over fears the story spoke out against apartheid.

“Then one day we were raided by the police and they confiscated a book, ‘Black Beauty,’ because the horse was black,” the actor once told the Daily Mail. “I was faced with prison, so I got out in a hurry.”

The BAFTA nominee, who attended London's Central School of Speech and Drama, made his stage debut in the 1945 production of "The Hasty Heart" at the age of 17.
The BAFTA nominee, who attended London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, made his stage debut in the 1945 production of “The Hasty Heart” at the age of 17. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Following his return, the actor joined the prominent non-profit Old Vic theater group and his career took off in earnest.

After starring in several high-profile films such as “Lethal Weapon 2” and the “Mighty Ducks” franchise as Hans opposite Emilio Estevez, Ackland told the BBC that he was a workaholic and regretted his appearance in some “awful films.”

In the statement, "The Hunt for Red October" actor's family said the star died “peacefully” while being "surrounded by family."
In the statement, “The Hunt for Red October” actor’s family said the star died “peacefully” while being “surrounded by family.” Ian Gavan/Getty Images

“I’m so tired of not being able to make a movie without a car chase, or the villain dying twice — it’s all exactly the same,” the actor said in 2001, per The Telegraph.

He added: “I do a lot of crap, but if it’s not immoral, I don’t mind. I’m a workaholic.”