Veteran British actor Sir John Mills, one of the country’s most beloved and best-known screen stars who appeared in more than 100 films, died on Saturday aged 97 after a brief illness.

　　"Sir John Mills died peacefully at home after a short illness," a member of his staff said in a brief statement.

　　The hugely respected stage, screen and television actor, whose career spanned more than 70 years, won a best supporting actor Oscar in 1971 for "Ryan’s Daughter".

　　His family was travelling to Britain from the United States and was expected to arrive by Monday, the BBC reported.

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