EDWARD L MASRY, the lawyer portrayed by Albert Finney in the 2000 movie Erin Brockovich, has died of complications from diabetes. He was 73.

Masry and ERIN BROCKOVICH, his real-life legal assistant, became populist heroes when they won a $333 million (GBP185 million) settlement on behalf of more than 600 residents of the town of Hinkley, California, where they claimed a Pacific Gas + Electric's gas compressor station leaked carcinogens into the groundwater.

Masry, who practised law for more than 40 years, passed away on Monday (05DEC05), leaving behind his wife, JOETTE, five children and 10 grandchildren.

Julia Roberts won an Oscar in 2001 for her portrayal of Brockovich in the movie.