Frank Whitten, best known for his role as "Grandpa" Ted West on Outrageous Fortune, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning, South Pacific Pictures said in a statement tonight.
He was aged 68.
Whitten's acting career spanned three decades, including a role in the movies Peter Pan and Vigil.
His latest stint was in an Australian production of Measure for Measure last year.
Whitten played his Outrageous Fortune role for all six seasons, and picked up an Air New Zealand Screen Award for best supporting actor in 2007.
South Pacific Pictures chief executive John Barnett said they would miss him very much.
"All of us are deeply saddened to hear of Frank Whitten's passing."
Whitten's co-star Robyn Malcolm said the cast felt deeply for Whitten's family and their thoughts, love and grief were with them.
"Like his screen character he never said a lot but when he did it mattered. He'll hate that we are saying lovely things about him, but tough Frank -- you deserve it."
His family will hold a small, private funeral service this week and have requested privacy.
