Keach was considered one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of his era

Stacy Keach, the actor whose turns as Hamlet on stage and hard-bitten detective Mike Hammer on television captivated audiences, died on Tuesday in Magdalenka, Poland, at 85.

His death was confirmed by his wife, Malgosia Tomassi Keach, who said he died at his family home. “After a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure, Stacy peacefully departed this world,” she said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter . “He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”

She continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives.…