Patrick Macnee (born February 6, 1922) is a British actor. His mother became a lesbian and had a live-in partner who helped pay for his schooling. After nurturing his acting career in Canada, Macnee became an American citizen in 1959.

Despite numerous roles in theatre, on television and in cinema, Macnee is still best known as the inimitable secret agent John Steed in the series The Avengers. Initially a secondary character--the series was conceived as a vehicle for Ian Hendry , who played an associate of Steed's--Steed (and Macnee) became the centre of the show after Hendry's departure at the end of the first season, playing opposite a succession of female partners that included Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg, and Linda Thorson . Steed was also the central character of a revival, The New Avengers, in which he was teamed with characters played by Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt.

During the 1960s, Macnee co-wrote two original novels based upon The Avengers, Dead Duck and Deadline.

Other notable roles include his part in the James Bond movie A View to a Kill, a guest role in Alias Smith and Jones, and two villainous roles in Battlestar Galactica.

He also presents the American 'paranormal' series, Mysteries, Magic and Miracles

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