British actor Paul Scofield dead at 86

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LONDON, March 20 (UPI) -- British stage and film actor Paul Scofield, who won an Oscar in 1966 for his portrayal of Thomas More in "A Man For All Seasons," has died. He was 86.

Scofield's agent Rosalind Chatto told The Times of London the BAFTA-winning actor had been diagnosed with leukemia and died Wednesday in a hospital near his home in Sussex.

Appointed a commander of the British Empire in 1956, the intensely private Scofield twice rejected a knighthood, explaining he wished to remain "plain Mister," The Times said.

Among Scofield's most memorable stage roles was his portrayal of composer Antonio Salieri in Peter Shaffer's stage drama "Amadeus."

The Hurstpierpoint native also appeared in the films "Quiz Show," "The Crucible" and Mel Gibson's adaptation of "Hamlet." He starred in the BBC version of Charles Dickens' "Martin Chuzzlewit" in 1994, as well.

Scofield met his wife Joy Parker when he was playing Horatio and she was portraying Ophelia in "Hamlet" for Basil C. Langton's touring company in 1942.

The couple married in 1943 and had two children, Martin and Sarah, the newspaper said.