`Homeland` actor James Rebhorn dies from skin cancer

Los Angeles: Veteran character actor James Rebhorn, who played the role of Claire Danes` father in hit series `Homeland`, has died after a long battle with melanoma. He was 65.

According to his agent Dianne Busch, the actor passed away on March 21 at his home in New Jersey after losing his battle against melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer, said The Hollywood Reporter. "He died from melanoma, which had been diagnosed in 1992. He fought it all this time. He died Friday afternoon at his home in New Jersey, where he had been receiving hospice care for a week and a half," Busch said. The Philadelphia native played Carrie Mathison`s father in `Homeland` and appeared as special agent Reese Hughes in `White Collar`. Rebhorn started his career with theatre before moving to television where he starred on soaps `Guiding Light` and `As The World Turns` in the 1980s. As a character actor Rebhorn played figures of authority in hit films like `Independence Day`, `Scent of a Woman`, `Carlito`s Way`, `The Talented Mr Ripley`, `The Game`, and `Meet the Parents` among others. During his TV career, he guest-starred as three different characters in on `Law & Order`, `Seinfeld`, and appeared on `Third Watch`, `The Book Of Daniel`, `30 Rock`, `Big Lake`. Rebhorn`s recent big screen credits include `Real Steel`, `Baby Mama`, `The Odd Life Of Timothy Green`, and `Sleepwalk With Me`. During his prolific five-decade career the actor appeared in several television shows, films and stage productions. The actor is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and daughters Hanna and Emma.