The Time Machine star Rod Taylor passed away earlier this week at his home in Los Angeles. The Australian actor got his big break with a starring role in director George Pal’s 1960 adaptation of the H.G. Well’s sci-fi novel.

A few years later he followed this dynamic performance by playing the hero in Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic The Birds in 1963 with Tippi Hedren. That same year he starred in The V.I.P.s with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. His other film credits include Giant, Sunday in New Sunday in New York with Jane Fonda, 101 Dalmatians voicing Pongo, Do Not Disturb, and The Glass Bottom Boat.

Taylor also made his mark in television in Bearcats!, The Oregon Trail, Masquerade, Outlaws, Falcon Crest, and Walker, Texas Ranger. His final film role was playing Winston Churchill in Quentin Taratino’s historical reimagining Inglourious Basterds in 2009.

Taylor’s daughter Felicia confirmed his passing. He died a few days before his 85th birthday.