The Walking Dead star Scott Wilson passed away at the age of 76 on Saturday. A new report from TMZ now confirms the cause of his death.

According to his Rep, Dominic Mancini, Wilson died from leukaemia. The actor was in Los Angeles, where he passed away. Mancini further stated Wilson as “a national treasure, a calm voice, and a gentle spirit to everyone who came in contact with him.”

The actor was set to return on the season 9 of The Walking Dead, which premieres today. His return was announced by showrunner Angela Kang at the New York Comic Con. Wilson portrayed Hershel in the series, who is a farm owner who took in Rick and his group at personal risk and got stuck with them.

Fortunately, Wilson had finished filming for a number of scenes (three episodes) of the upcoming season.

Wilson began his acting career in 1967 with “In The Heat Of the Night”. Since then, he has appeared in many films like “The Great Gatsby” (1974) and The Twilight Zone in 1986. However, the actor will be remembered for his role in The Walking Dead series, as Wilson’s co-workers and actors paid him tribute on Twitter.

“We are deeply saddened to report that Scott Wilson, the incredible actor who played Hershel on #TheWalkingDead, has passed away at the age of 76,” wrote the show’s official Twitter account. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in paradise, Scott. We love you!”

“The first time I met Scott Wilson, he gave me a big hug and said that this thing I had become apart of… was a family,” recalled co-star Khary Payton. “He said I had a responsibility to take care of it. I have tried very hard to do that, sir. & I will continue. I promise. See you on the other side, my friend.”

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