he had pancreatic cancer, and fought very very hard! I was shocked when I saw him still smoking when he did his interview with barbara walters. He said his MD told him that after that many decades of smoking, it was a bit too late to quit. he was already in a boat load of trouble, and quitting would only add stress, and stress was his enemy at that point in his life.

He was an amazing actor, and could dance! Very nice man.