Actor Patrick McGoohan died Wednesday, January 14th in Los Angeles. He was 80.

Many thought him British, but he was born in Astoria, Queens, New York on March 19, 1928 and was raised in Ireland and England.

He was best-known as producer, writer, and director of the landmark 1960s television series The Prisoner, thought to be a sequel of sorts to the spy show that first made him a global TV star as John Drake in Danger Man, seen in the U.S. as Secret Agent (and under either title featuring the classic “Secret Agent Man” theme song by Johnny Rivers).

He began as a stage actor, learning his craft, though TV gave him fame. He reportedly turned down both the roles of James Bond and Simon Templar (The Saint, played by Roger Moore) before taking on the role of Drake and becoming the highest-paid actor in the UK at the time during most of the series’s run.

He also had a successful film career and was even a favorite of Disney, appearing in the The Three lives of Tomasina, and also Dr. Syn, Alias, and The Scarecrow (aka on Disney’s TV show as The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh), which finally saw DVD release in 2008.

Though he played the hero in the ’60s, he also relished villain roles in the ’70s and ’80s.

His film appearances included Ice Station Zebra, Escape From Alcatraz, Scanners, Silver Streak, Braveheart, and The Phantom.  He won an Emmy for his role on the Peter Falk detective series Columbo.

He directed a rock opera adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello and became a part of contemporary pop culture again, appearing in animated form as The Prisoner’s “Number Six” on The Simpsons.

Contrary to the theme of The Prisoner, Patrick McGoohan wasn’t a number, he was a free man. He was a genuine actor-artist and, at times, a visionary as well.

Start with The Prisoner 40th Anniversary Megaset of the entire series, then Danger Man and Dr. Syn/Scarecrow and then go from there to his films.

For me, he was a part of my childhood and my adult life.  He shall indeed be missed, but his fine work is with us forever.