'Mad Max' actor Hugh Keays-Byrne dead at 73

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Hugh Keays-Byrne, best known for his dual roles in the "Mad Max" franchise, has died. He was 73.

A rep for the actor told Fox News that he "passed away peacefully" the morning of Dec. 2. The cause of death was not provided.

Keays-Byrne played the villainous Toecutter in 1979's "Mad Max" before re-joining the franchise for 2015's "Mad Max: Fury Road" as a new character: Immortan Joe.

He also notably appeared in the 1998 adaptation of "Moby Dick," in which he played Mr. Stubb.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, the star was born in Kashmir, India, and, after relocating to England, trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Hugh Keays-Byrne, star of 'Mad Max' and 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' has died at the age of 73. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

In 2015, "Mad Max" and "Fury Road" director George Miller told USA Today that outside of Keays-Byrne's acting talent, the director wanted to bring him back to make up for a poor dub of an American voice over his own in an early print of the original film.

"I always felt so guilty about that. I thought I had to make up for it in some way," said Miller.

As he did in the franchise and "Farscape," Keays-Byrne often played villains, but admitted to the outlet that "for an old ham like me, it's great fun."

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"I tend to always be the bad guys," he added. "I'm yearning to play a lover."

The star also described himself as "a lazy actor," only taking the occasional job, with "Fury Road" being his most recent credit.

Hugh Keays-Byrne trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"I love sitting around talking, having a coffee, chatting about politics and rubbish," Keays-Byrne shared. "It's all good."

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According to IMDb, the star directed as well, helming 1992's "Resistance" and a 1982 TV movie called "Madness of Two."

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He also played Cobweb in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Broadway in 1971, according to IBDB.