Emmy Award-winning Richard Dysart died on April 5 at his home in Santa Monica, California, after a long illness. He was 86.

Dysart's wife, Kathryn Jacobi, told entertainment website TMZ that the actor, who is best known for his role as lawyer Leland McKenzie in the acclaimed NBC legal drama series L.A. Law, was diagnosed with cancer several years ago.

The show, which ran from 1986 to 1994, earned Dysart three Emmy Award nominations before he finally won in 1992.

He was also known for his portrayal of political characters, having twice played US presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, as well as FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.