Tony Hendra has died at the age of 79.
The satirist and star of This Is Spinal Tap had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in 2019.
Wife Carla Hendra confirmed to The New York Times her husband's cause of death.
He was best known for starring as the inept manager in cult classic, This Is Spinal Tap.
Tony was British but have lived for many years in the United States.
He had begun writing and performing while still a student at Cambridge University, working in the same circles as the future stars of Monty Python, such as John Cleese and Graham Chapman.
In 1964, Tony and performing partner Nick Ullett took their act to the US, where he forged a career in acting, stand-up comedy, writing and publishing.
He was named managing editor of humour magazine National Lampoon in the early 70s, solidifying his position in American satire.
National Lampoon's Lemming, which Tony co-wrote, became an off-Broadway hit, Chevy Chase, John Belushi and Christopher Guest among the cast.
Christopher would go on to cast Tony in This Is Spinal Tap as the blundering manager Ian Faith in the 80s mockumentary.
Since Tony's death, tributes have poured in from fans and celebrity pals alike.
American director Rob Reiner wrote: "Tony Hendra who played Spinal Tap's manager, Ian, has sadly passed away.
"A brilliant satirist who when learning that the band's Boston gig had been cancelled, told them not to worry that Boston wasn’t a big college town. R.I.P."
His co-star Michael McKean, who played David St. Hubbins in the fictional band, simply penned: "RIP Tony Hendra."
Another of the film's stars, Fred Willard, died last year at the age of 86.
