Award-winning actor Hal Holbrook has died aged 95: 'A true legend'

The star was perhaps most famous for his portrayal of Mark Twain

Hal Holbrook, circa 1950. The actor has died aged 95. Getty Images

Hal Holbrook performing as Mark Twain, Connecticut, US, August, 1959. Getty Images

Hal Holbrook, left, and Martin Sheen in 'That Certain Summer', 1972. Getty Images

Hal Holbrook, right, gives Goldie Hawn directions to his Moscow flat in a scene from the film 'The Girl From Petrovka', 1974. Getty Images

Hal Holbrook, left, with Clint Eastwood on the set of 'Magnum Force'. Shutterstock

Hal Holbrook, left, and Cicely Tyson with their Emmy awards on the ABC TV special 'The 26th Primetime Emmy Awards', at the Pantages Theatre, 1974. Getty Images

Actor Hal Holbrook, left, one of the stars of 'Men of Honor', poses with wife, actress Dixie Carter at the film's Los Angeles premiere November 1, 2000 in Beverly Hills. AFP

Emile Hirsch, left, and Hal Holbrook in 'Into The Wild', 2007. Shutterstock

Hal Holbrook as Abraham Lincoln in Carl Sandburg's 'Lincoln', 1974. Getty Images

Hal Holbrook in 'Lincoln', 2012. Shutterstock

Actors Hal Holbrook, left, Robert Pattinson, centre, and Reese Witherspoon attend the 'Water For Elephants' premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on April 17, 2011 in New York City. AFP

The Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning actor Hal Holbrook died aged 95 on January 23 at his California home.

His death was confirmed to The New York Times by his assistant, Joyce Cohen, on Monday.

Holbrook had an on-screen career dating back to the 1950s, but he's perhaps most famous for his onstage turn as Mark Twain, as he played the American novelist in a one-man show that toured around the world.

He was nominated for an Oscar for his part in Into the Wild (2007), in which he played the grandfatherly Ron Franz.

At the time, Holbrook was 82 and the oldest performer to receive such recognition.

His other memorable film roles included that of Deep Throat in 1976's All the President's Men, and as the Republican Preston Blair in Steven Spielberg's Lincoln (2012).

Holbrook was no stranger to TV, either. He scored one of his 10 Emmy nominations for a TV adaptation of Mark Twain Tonight!, and went on to win four of the awards, including one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Lincoln (1974).

He's also starred in other hit shows including Grey's Anatomy, The West Wing and The Sopranos.

He is survived by his three children and two stepchildren, as well as two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Fans took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late actor as the news was announced.

"A true legend," wrote one fan.

"He was a true giant in the business of acting," wrote another.

Journalist Heather Wixson said: "Hal Holbrook was one of those actors whose presence added so much to any film he was a part of, big or small. His talent was immeasurable & to have a career that spans over 7 decades is a testament to just how damn good he was. RIP, good sir & thank you for all the entertainment."