Ian Gelder, "Game of Thrones" actor, has died at the age of 74

He played Kevan Lannister, brother of the dreaded patriarch Tywin, ending a half-century career on television and stage.

Ian Gelder, the British actor who capped a half-century career by appearing in the hit TV series "Game of Thrones" as Kevan Lannister, brother of the dreaded patriarch Tywin Lannister, died Monday. He was 74.

His death was announced by his husband, Ben Daniels, a fellow actor, writing on social media that Mr. Gelder had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December.

In his long career in television, film and theater, Mr. Gelder has starred in the beloved British science fiction series "Doctor Who" and its spin-off, "Torchwood", as well as "His Dark Materials", a television adaptation of Philip Pullman's trilogy of fantasy novels.

He appeared in 12 episodes of Game of Thrones as Kevan Lannister, beginning in season one when his character was a military advisor to his older brother Tywin (Charles Dance) as House Lannister fought House Stark.

He repeated this role in season five, becoming involved in the power struggle that arose after Tywin's death. Kevan Lannister was killed off at the end of season six, along with many other characters, when Cersei Lannister, Tywin's daughter (Lena Headey), blew up the cathedral-like Sept of Baelor.

Mr. Gelder was born June 3, 1949, and began starring in television shows in the 1970s, including "New Scotland Yard" and "Edward King". He also starred in theater productions such as "Gods and Monsters" and, at London's Globe Theater, Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus".

She and Mr. Daniels began dating in 1993, when they were both cast in the play "Entertaining Mr. Sloan", according to IMDb.

In addition to Mr. Daniels, Mr. Gelder was survived by a brother, Keith White, according to Daniel Albert, Mr. Gelder's agent.

This year, Mr. Gelder starred in an episode of the British detective series "Father Brown".