Warren Mitchell, the British actor widely recognized for his leading role on BBC program Till Death Us Do Part, died Saturday morning in England, according to BBC. He was 89.

In a statement provided to BBC, Mitchell's family said the actor died "surrounded by his family" and added that "he has been in poor health for some time but was cracking jokes to the last."

Mitchell appeared as the ill-mannered patriarch Alf Garnett on Till Death Us Do Part from 1965-75 and returned as the same character to star in In Sickness and in Health from 1985-92. Till Death was famously adapted by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin for CBS' All in the Family, with Carroll O'Connor starring in the Garnett role.

Mitchell won the best supporting actor AFI Award in 1982 for his role in Norman Loves Rose. Other notable projects include Help! (1965) and Jabberwocky (1977).

Born Jan. 14, 1926, the actor wed actress Constance Wake in 1950 and is survived by her and their three children.

Fellow British actor Ricky Gervais took to social media to share his condolences Saturday morning: "Alf Garnett was one of the most influential and important characters and performances in comedy history. RIP Warren Mitchell."

Alf Garnett was one of the most influential and important characters and performances in comedy history. RIP Warren Mitchell

—Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 14, 2015

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