John Forsythe Dies at 92

Sophisticated TV legend John Forsythe died Thursday night at his home in Santa Ynez, California at the age of 92.

A reluctant actor who was encouraged to pursue the craft by his father, Forsythe started with bit parts in Warner Bros. movies like “Destination Tokyo.” After a stint in World War II, he enrolled in the first class at the famed Actors Studio. His early work included roles in the theater and in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Trouble with Harry.”

Forsythe found his greatest success in television. His first hit show was “Bachelor Father,” which premiered in 1957.

But it was the 1976 series “Charlie’s Angels” that secured his place in television history. Never seen on screen, he played the voice of Charlie, who doled out assignments to his team of beautiful detectives including the unknown actress Farrah Fawcett. He reprised the role in the two “Charlie’s Angels” feature films which starred Drew Barrymore.

Forsythe found success again on 1980’s prime time soap opera “Dynasty” playing oil magnate Blake Carrington.

Forsythe died from complications of pneumonia after an ongoing battle with colon cancer. He is survived by his third wife, Nicole Carter, one son, and two daughters from his previous marriages.