Actor George Dickerson dies at 81

Los Angeles: Actor George Dickerson, who played police detective John Williams in David Lynch's "Blue Velvet," has died. He was 81.

Dickerson's son Dome Karukoski broke the news in a Facebook post, according to which the actor died Jan 10 after battling a long illness. He was living in New York, reports variety.com.

Dickerson, who was also known for a recurring role as Police Commander Swanson on the first season of "Hill Street Blues", starred alongside Kyle MacLachlan in "Blue Velvet".

Before acting, Dickerson had a versatile writing career, working as a poet, magazine writer, playwright and editor. He also served as a speechwriter for US Congressman Robert Steele, and as a United Nations diplomat in Lebanon.

Dickerson's film credits include "No Mercy", "Psycho II", "A Stranger in the Kingdom" and "Death Wish 4: The Crackdown".