Miguel Ferrer, one of the popular TV character actors of his generation, has passed away aged 61 after losing his battle to throat cancer. 

The son of 1950s singer Rosemary Clooney and actor Jose Ferrer, Miguel was also a first cousin of George Clooney's. 

Clooney released a statement on behalf of Ferrer's family which was obtained by Variety.

“Today history will mark giant changes in our world, and lost to most will be that on the same day Miguel Ferrer lost his battle to throat cancer. But not lost to his family,” Clooney wrote. “Miguel made the world brighter and funnier, and his passing is felt so deeply in our family that events of the day, (monumental events), pale in comparison. We love you Miguel. We always will.”

Ferrer's career began in 1981 with an appearance in an episode of Magnum P.I. He'd go on to appear in countless other classic 80s TV shows like TJ Hooker, Hill Street Blues and CHiPs. 

His first prominent movie role came in 1987 when he played the sleazy Bob Morton in Robocop. He played one of the best supporting characters in David Lynch's Twin Peaks and has filmed scenes for the revival coming later this year. Most recently he starred in seven seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles. He will be sorely missed. 

Tributes have been pouring in on Twitter from all corners of the entertainment world.