A renowned British actor famous for his work on both the stage and on TV over several decades has passed away.

John Nettleton, who was famed for his portrayal of a cabinet secretary in the related BBC sitcoms "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" in the 1980s, was 94 years old, The Independent reported.

His death on Friday was first revealed by the agency that represented him, but it remains unclear what the cause of his death was.

Death announced by representative agency

The Scott Marshall Partners agency issued a statement on Friday that said, "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor John Nettleton at the age of 94."

After noting some of the work that Nettleton was best known for, the agency added, "He is survived by his wife Deirdre, three children, and five grandchildren."

The Independent reported that the actor was born in London in 1929 and had married actress Deirdre Doone in 1954 at the age of 25, to whom he apparently remained faithfully wed until his death.

Seven-decade career on TV and in films

The Guardian reported that Nettleton was undoubtedly most famous for his portrayal of "master manipulator" Sir Arnold Robinson in the satirical political sitcom "Yes, Minister" and its sequel "Yes, Prime Minister" that first aired in the 1980s.

His acting career began long before that particular show, however, and included appearances on dozens of TV shows, numerous films, and even voiceover work for animated productions.

In fact, according to his IMDb page, Nettleton had at least 132 actor credits to his name that stretched over seven decades from 1956 until 2010.

One of his more enduring works was repeat appearances on the long-running British children's series "Blue Peter," in which he provided his voice to read brief but fact-filled stories about historical figures and events.

Per The Guardian, the actor played political roles in other TV series but most often was involved in various "police procedurals" as well as legal dramas, a medical series, a soap opera spoof, and even in the popular sci-fi show "Dr. Who."

Some of Nettleton's better-known film appearances included "A Man for All Seasons" in 1966, the comedy "East of Ipswich" in 1987, and a 2005 rendition of the classic tale "Oliver Twist."

Also a renowned stage actor

Yet, aside from his prolific work on the small screen, The Guardian noted that Nettleton was also a gifted stage actor who made many appearances in various theatrical productions.

He was reportedly an early member of the Royal Shakespeare Company's ensemble cast but also worked on productions for the National Theatre as well as the Prospect Theatre Company.