All-time NFL great running back turned Hollywood star Jim Brown has died at the age of 87 at home in Los Angeles
- The former Cleveland Browns running back passed away on Thursday night with his wife Monique by his side
- Brown was considered one of the all-time greats of the game despite his short career
Former NFL legend turned actor Jim Brown has died aged 87 at his home in Los Angeles, according to his family.
The ex-Cleveland Browns running back passed away on Thursday night after a battle with dementia, with his wife Monique by his side.
A source told DailyMail.com: ‘It was very peaceful and he was surrounded by his loved ones. He was a true Hollywood great and he will be missed.’
Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, after playing for the Browns from 1957 to 1965.
The star was chosen the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1965 and shattered the league’s record books during his short career.
Jim Brown (center) has died aged 87 with his wife Monique by his side at his Los Angeles home
He was born in February 1935 in St Simons, Georgia, and was considered one of the best running backs of all time.
But his retirement while in his prime in 1964 opened doors for him to become an actor, appearing in more than 30 films – including ‘Any Given Sunday’ and ‘The Dirty Dozen.’
Brown went on to become a prominent leader in the black power movement during the civil rights struggles of the 1960s.
In later years, he worked to curb gang violence in LA and founded Amer-I-Can, a program to help disadvantaged inner-city youth and ex-convicts.
This is a developing story.