Actor August Schellenberg has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 77.

The Free Willy star died on Thursday (15Aug13) in Texas, according to Tmz.com.

Schellenberg was best known for his role as a Native American mentor in Free Willy and he appeared in two sequels.

The actor was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role as Chief Sitting Bull in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Schellenberg also starred alongside Christian Bale and Colin Farrell in 2005's The New World, and appeared in Tv series including Saving Grace and Grey's Anatomy.