Emmy Award winning actor Ben Gazzara has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.

A family attorney says Gazzara passed away at a New York City hospital Friday, with his family at his side.

Gazzara, son of Italian immigrants parents, was known for portraying emotionally complex characters, with a tough guy persona.

He gained recognition early in his career, playing the role of Brick in the Broadway production of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”.

Gazzara later won three Emmy Awards for television roles, including the lead in the hit prime time drama “Run for Your Life,” which aired on the U.S.-based NBC network in the mid to late 1960's.

He also earned Tony Award nominations for his theatre roles in works such as the critically acclaimed “Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?”.

Gazzara is survived by a wife and daughter. A private funeral is planned. No public memorial has been announced.