Prolific Canadian actor Lawrence (Zahab) Dane, who began his career in the 1960s and took on dozens of character parts on series including Queer as Folk and The Red Green Show, has died.

A publicist tells Playback Daily that Dane died Monday (March 21) of pancreatic cancer at home on Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., with his wife Laurel and loved ones at his side. He was 84.

Born in the hamlet Masson, Que., on the north shore of the Ottawa river, Dane also worked behind the scenes as a producer, writer and director.

His producing credits included the Newfoundland-set ’72 comedy film The Rowdyman, written by and starring his pal Gordon Pinsent. The two also worked together on projects including the CBC series The Forest Rangers.

According to his self-written obituary sent to Playback, Dane was born the youngest of six kids on April 3, 1937. His acting career kicked off in good company in the ’60s, with roles alongside Sean Connery (Macbeth), Christopher Plummer (Playdate), Lorne Green and Michael Landon (Bonanza), among many others.

In his obituary, Dane wrote that he had “the good fortune of becoming a member of a highly respected brotherhood of Canadian performers,” working alongside “hundreds of other struggling fellow actors” who were an inspiration to him.

“I’m especially grateful to those wonderful actors who blazed a trail throughout the entertainment centres around the world. They made it so much easier for us newcomers, when we were asked, ‘Where are you from?’ we proudly proclaimed that we were from Canada. The doors opened wide,” Dane wrote.

“Along the way over those many years, I’ve experienced highs and lows in the acting profession. Who hasn’t? I’ve worked with some of the greats, near-greats and sadly – a few ingrates. I travelled the world. In the midst of all that, I hit the jackpot. I met and married my wonderful loving and supportive wife Laurel. Bonus. She deserves a Medal for Bravery.”

Dane’s long list of acting credits also includes The Wayne and Shuster Hour, Mod Squad, The Littlest Hobo, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Street Legal, Double Jeopardy, Side Effects and Stargate SG-1.

His other producing credits include the 1977 slasher film Rituals starring Hal Holbrook and himself. Harry H. Novak also produced and Peter Carter directed.

“In summing up, I could only describe my life’s journey as a grand life well spent,” he wrote to conclude his obituary. “I leave behind those who know I loved them and whose love I felt they returned in spades.”