August Schellenberg, the actor best known for Free Willy, has died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 77.

The Montreal-born actor was half Mohawk and half Swiss-German though mainly played Native American roles including Chief Powhatan in Terrence Malick's 2005 movie The New World, with Christian Bale and Colin Farrell.

Schellenberg's manager Alan Mills said he died at his home in Dallas on Thursday (August 15, 2013). The actor's family has not yet made arrangements for his funeral.

As well as his movie roles, the actor appeared in numerous television shows, most recently 'SGU Stargate Universe' in 2011, and was nominated for a supporting actor Emmy award in 2007 for his role in HBO TV movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

However, his most famous role will remain Free Willy, the 1993 family drama about a young boy who befriends a captive orca. Made for $20 million, the movie grossed over $150 million and spawned two sequels and a non-consecutive third film Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove.

Michael Jackson sang and produced the movie's theme song, Will You Be There, which won the MTV Movie Award for 'Best Song in a Movie.' It was included in the album All Time Greatest Movie Songs, released by Sony in 1999.

We here at Contactmusic.com send our condolences to August Schellenberg's family and friends. 

August SchellenbergAugust Schellenberg Is Best Known for 'Free Willy'