LOS ANGELES, June 2 — American actor Wendell Burton, who starred as the college student/boyfriend of Liza Minnelli in the 1969 film The Sterile Cuckoo, has died at the age of 69.

Burton died on Tuesday at his home in Houston after a three-and-a-half-year battle with brain cancer, his daughter, actress Haven Burton, told The Hollywood Reporter.

While Burton was perhaps best known for the part he played opposite Minnelli, his other film credits included features such as Goodnight Jackie in 1974, and the 1986 Burt Reynolds film Heat.

He also had guest-starring turns on such series as "Young Dr. Kildare, "Medical Center, "Room 222, Kung Fu, Love, American Style and The Rookies; and appeared opposite William Shatner in the 1973 ABC telefilm Go Ask Alice.

Burton is survived by his daughter Haven, his wife Linda, son Adam, grandson Hudson and son-in-law Denny. — AFP-Relaxnews