Actor DALE ROBERTSON has died at the age of 89.

The TV veteran passed away in San Diego, California on Wednesday (27Feb13) after battling lung cancer and pneumonia.

Robertson landed his big break while in the U.S. Army during World War II after having his photo taken in Hollywood, which sparked interest from film agents.

He became most famous for his roles in TV Westerns during the 1950s and 1960s, playing lead roles in Iron Horse and Tales of Wells Fargo.

He continued to land work on the small screen throughout the 1980s, appearing as Walter Lankershim in Dynasty, the title character in J.J. Starbuck, as well as appearances in Dallas, Harts of the West and Murder, She Wrote.

Robertson also followed in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan and Robert Taylor by narrating radio show Death Valley Days.

His film credits include Fighting Man of the Plains, The Farmer Takes a Wife and Top of the World.

He is survived by his wife Susan.