NEW YORK, April 7 (UPI) -- Irish actor Milo O'Shea, whose character in "Barbarella" inspired the name of the band Duran Duran, died in New York, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was 86.
The actor died Tuesday after a short illness.
O'Shea said he "played Irish" many times throughout his career, including the iconic Irish role of Leopold Bloom in the 1967 film adaptation of James Joyce's "Ulysses."
He often played priests -- Irish and otherwise -- like in 1968's "Romeo and Juliet" and "Mass Appeal," the Times reported.
The actor also made regular appearances on the small screen, with roles in "Cheers," "Frasier," "The West Wing" and "The Golden Girls."
His character, Dr. Durand Durand, in cult classic "Barbarella" inspired British musicians Nick Rhodes and John Taylor to name their band Duran Duran.
Rhodes wrote on the band's website Wednesday that O'Shea's character would forever be linked "in a small way with a band who couldn't spell his name properly. He will be missed, thanks for the inspiration."
O'Shea is survived by his wife, two sons from a previous marriage and a number of grandchildren, the Times reported.
