Actor and former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, John Gavin has died. He was 86.

Gavin was born Juan Vincent Apablasa on Apr. 8, 1931 and was of Mexican, Chilean and Irish descent. After his parents divorced, he was adopted by his stepfather; he then became John Anthony Golenor.

In the late 1950’s, after graduating from Stanford University with a Bachelor’s degree in economics and Latin American affairs, Gavin had done a screen test with Universal-International and was offered a contract. At the height of his career, he was often compared to another tall, dark and handsome actor: Rock Hudson. He starred in such films as Imitation of Life (with Lana Turner and Sandra Dee), Spartacus, Psycho, Romanoff and Juliet, and Tammy Tell Me True (both with Dee), Thoroughly Modern Millie and Sophia Loren: Her Own Story.

In June 1981, President Reagan appointed Gavin as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. 🇲🇽 Bilingual in Spanish, he put the language and his Latin American politics degree to good use during his time as ambassador. He resigned in 1986.

Gavin is survived by his wife, actress Constance Towers, daughters Christina Gavin and Maria Gavin, two step-children and one grandchild.

For more information on Gavin’s life and career, read here.