A statement released by his family on Monday evening revealed the American actor died on July 18. He first played 007’s CIA ally in 1973’s Live and Let Die, the late Sir Roger Moore’s first Bond film. He returned to the role 16 years later to appear alongside Timothy Dalton in 1989’s Licence to Kill.
The statement from his family read: “Even in our deep sadness, we are comforted by the memory of our wonderful father.
“He loved us all dearly and expressed that love every day. He was adored by so many, all of whom benefited from his warm and generous heart.”
The statement continued: “Our dad brought joy and humour wherever he went and did so with great style.”
Hedison made his film debut in 1958’s Son of Robin Hood and in the same year starred as the scientist André Delambre in The Fly.
He went on to appear in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and two Bond movies as agent Feliz Leiter.
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He also appeared on “The Colbys,” “The Love Boat,” “The Fall Guy” and “Dynasty,” the BBC said.
Born Al David Hedison on May 20, 1927, in Providence, Rhode Island, Hedison discovered the theatre while attending Brown University.
He studied in New York under Sanford Meisner at The Neighbourhood Playhouse and with Lee Strasberg at The Actors Studio.
He worked alongside Uta Hagen and Michael Redgrave in-off Broadway productions by Clifford Odets and Christopher Fry, among others, and made his big-screen debut in the World War II naval drama The Enemy Below (1957), starring Robert Mitchum.
Mr Hedison liked London and decided to move to the UK’s capital.
In 1989 he told The Chicago Tribune: “I liked London very much.
“I just wanted to go and spend a couple years there.
“It’s two years I’m not sorry for.
“The problem was, when I came back to the US, it was more difficult getting work then.”