Veteran actor Frank Finlay has reportedly died aged 89.

He starred in The Three Musketeers in 1973 alongside Oliver Reed and Richard Chamberlain. And he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Oscars for his portrayal of Iago in Othello.

Finlay starred in popular TV series too, such as Bouquet Of Barbed Wire in 1976 – seen as one of the most controversial dramas of the era.

Frank Finlay
(Tim Ockenden/PA)

He also played Casanova in a TV series in 1971.

And various co-stars from over the years had kind things to say about the Lancashire-born actor.

Other stars tweeted their sadness about the reported news.

And many paid tribute to some of the big roles he had over the years.

Finlay left school at the age of 14 and took on several odd jobs to make ends meet. During this time, he began appearing with amateur theatre groups and realised his future lay on the stage.

After landing his first professional role in Scotland in 1951, he won a scholarship to London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before appearing in rep in Guildford.

He didn’t appear in the West End until he was 31, and after making a series of acclaimed performances in various plays, he was invited to join Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre Company.