Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Tony Mendez was a specialist in disguises and forgeries at the CIA

Ex-CIA agent Tony Mendez, who inspired the Oscar-winning film Argo, has died at the age of 78.

He had been suffering from Parkinson's Disease. At the CIA, Mendez specialised in disguises, forgery and rescues.

He is best known for smuggling six American diplomats out of Iran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis by posing as a film producer.

Ben Affleck, who directed Argo and starred as Mendez, called him "a true American hero".

"He was a man of extraordinary grace, decency, humility and kindness," Affleck said in a tweet.

"He never sought the spotlight for his actions, he merely sought to serve his country."

Skip Twitter post by @BenAffleck Tony Mendez was a true American hero. He was a man of extraordinary grace, decency, humility and kindness. He never sought the spotlight for his actions, he merely sought to serve his country. I’m so proud to have worked for him and to have told one of his stories. #RIPTonyMendez — Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) January 20, 2019 Report

Former CIA deputy director Michael Morell also tweeted that Mendez "was one of the best officers to ever serve at CIA".

"His work was unique, and it help [sic] to protect our nation in significant ways."

Mendez's literary agent, Christy Fetcher, said: "He was surrounded with love from his family and will be sorely missed."

'An artist first'

Born in 1940, Mendez worked as a draughtsman after graduating from university and joined the CIA after answering a blind advert for a graphic artist.

Over a 25-year career he worked with Hollywood make-up artists and magicians to perfect disguises and fake identities.

He served in multiple foreign posts, mostly in Asia. In 1980 he orchestrated what would later be called the "Canadian Caper", a daring rescue of six American diplomats from Iran.

The diplomats were forced to shelter in Canada's embassy in Tehran after protesters overran the American embassy.

Mendez met the six and helped them to pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a non-existent sci-fi movie, Argo.

With Canada's help, the group was able to evade Iranian security services and board a flight to Zurich from Tehran.

After retiring from the CIA, Mendez ran an art studio and wrote three memoirs about his experiences.

"I've always considered myself to be an artist first," he told the Washington Post, "and for 25 years I was a pretty good spy."