New Zealand actor Ioane "John" King, who started as an extra on the TV series Spartacus before being elevated to a recurring role, has died at 49 after a battle with cancer.
The actor played the gladiator Rhaskos on the series, which was filmed in New Zealand and co-starred Lucy Lawless, and ran from 2010 to 2013.
He died August 15 after adenocarcinoma cancer spread to his pancreas, his family announced on a Facebook page dedicated to him.
Fellow Spartacus star and Kiwi actor Manu Bennett paid tribute to King on Instagram.
"John had a long battle with cancer but faced that fight with dignity and a constant resolve not to be defeated.
"On Spartacus John was hired as an extra but with a powerful presence and ever positive attitude amongst the cast and crew, won himself the speaking role of Rhaskos.
"I remember John most fondly for his huge grin and sparkle in his eye when he would welcome me and others onto set each day offering the Gladiatorial forearm handshake and acknowledging in his deep raspy voice, 'brother!'"
King also worked as a personal trainer and corrections officer.
A funeral was held Friday in Auckland.
Spartacus star Andy Whitfield also died young after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010. He died in 2011 at age 39.
RNZ