DIRTY HARRY - DIRTY HARRY STAR VERNON DIES

DIRTY HARRY star JOHN VERNON has died at his Los Angeles home. He was 72.

The Canadian actor's daughter KAY VERNON said her father passed away on Thursday (03FEB05), following complications from heart surgery.

Vernon studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began his film career by providing the voice of BIG BROTHER in the 1956 film adaptation of GEORGE ORWELL's classic novel 1984.

He became a household name in his native Canada by playing DR STEVE WOJECK in TV drama WOJECK.

His Wojeck co-star TED FOLLOWS recalls, "John was superb. He really knew how to use the camera, and vocally he was just born to have a mic nearby."

During his long career, he starred in ALFRED HITCHCOCK's thriller TOPAZ and his Dirty Harry co-star Clintwood's movie THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES.