Bette Midler announced Frederic Forrest’s death last night (Picture: Getty/Rex)

Frederic Forrest, star of Apocalypse Now, has died aged 86.

The sad news was confirmed by the late actor’s The Rose co-star, Bette Midler, who described him as a ‘remarkable actor’ and ‘brilliant human being’.

Taking to Twitter last night, she wrote: ‘The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died.

‘Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months.

‘He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.’

Forrest’s cause of death is unclear.

The Texas-born actor rose to prominence in the 1970s after his performance in When the Legends Die earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

But his career really took off when he was cast as Jay Hicks in the war film classic, Apocalypse Now.

More to follow.

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R.I.P.