ACTOR James Coburn, who took on the tough-guy role in such films The Magnificent Seven, but whose anguished portrayal of an abusive father in Affliction finally earned him an Oscar, has died, aged 74.

Actress and model Catya Sassoon, the daughter of British hairstylist Vidal Sassoon, died in her sleep after attending a New Year’s party at a friend’s house in Los Angeles. She was 33.