KARACHI/LAHORE: Popular television actor, producer and director Tanveer Jamal passed away in Japan on Wednesday after combating cancer for a long time. He was 67.

Thefamilylivesin Japan where he will be buried. He is survived by a widow (Japanese national), two daughters and a son.Mr Jamal joined the field of acting in the 1980s.

He soon became one of the most recognisable faces of Pakistani showbiz industry and won accolades and awards for his performances.

It did not take him long to graduate from acting to directing. He produced and directed a series titled Godfather which was one of the early private production hits known for its slick camerawork and crisp editing.

It has been reported that last year, while shooting for a play called Mere Apne he became unwell. Ever since, he was trying to get on the recovery path. Jamal did his matriculation from Karachi and later left for France for higher education. He was the first Pakistani model in Japan who modeled for a known motorbike brand. He was also a good squash player and cinmetographer.

In 1985, he started his Pakistani showbiz career.

He was introduced to Pakistan Television by Kazim Pasha. His popular plays include Raat, Rait Aur Hawa, Piya Naaman la Diya, Hum Tum, Gunpoint, Jangloos and Integra.