Daryl Duke, an acclaimed Canadian TV director, has died at the age of 77.

The Canadian Press reports that Duke, who’s best known for directing the 1983 TV miniseries “The Thorn Birds,” died Saturday at his home in West Vancouver, succumbing to his battle with pulmonary fibrosis, his family said in a news release.

His prolific career in both Canadian and American television spanned five decades and earned his numerous awards, including an Emmy for best director of a TV drama and a Canadian Film Award (or what’s now known as a Genie) for best director of a feature film, “The Silent Partner” (1978). He was also honoured with a Directors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.

“The Thorn Birds” was a 10-hour miniseries that was immensely popular back in 1983.

Duke also helped expand the TV industry in Canada’s West Coast by working on the first shows created by CBC’s station in Vancouver, CBUT, in 1953.

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