Renowned Iranian cinema and theater actor and producer Davoud Rashidi has passed away at the age of 83.

Rashidi’s daughter, Leili, who is an actress, said on Friday that the award-winning actor had succumbed to a cardiac arrest earlier in the day.

Rashidi had long been housebound suffering from the Alzheimer’s for several years before his demise in Tehran.

Born in 1933 in Tehran, the notable veteran artist had played starring roles in theater, cinema and television productions.

He graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Geneva in 1960 and also attended the school of theater in Geneva.

The iconic figure of the Iranian cinema had been awarded the first class Order of Culture and Art.

Rashidi starred in numerous cinema movies and television series, including Kamalolmolk, Hezardastan, Velayat-e Eshq and Atr-e Gol-e Yas.

He also featured in plays such as Waiting for Godot, Richard III, Victory in Chicago, Minus Two and Who is Mr. Schmit?

Rouhani’s message on Rashidi’s death

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed his condolences over Rashidi’s death.

In a message on Friday, he said that Rashidi played "a valuable role in promoting culture and art" in Iran and his grand and magnificent works had helped him become "an eternal figure in the artistic history of the country."

The Iranian president expressed hope that the “perseverance and artistry of Davoud Rashidi in creating lasting works would set an example for the young artists of our country.”