'The White Shadow' star Ken Howard dies at 71

Actor Ken Howard, who starred in 1970s series 'The White Shadow' and served as president of SAG-AFTRA, has died at age 71.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES - Actor Ken Howard, who starred in 1970s series "The White Shadow" and served as president of SAG-AFTRA, has died at age 71.

The union announced Howard's death Wednesday. No cause of death was given.

Howard played Ken Reeves on "White Shadow," an NBC drama in which his character was a retired NBA player now coaching high schoolers. He had a long television career, appearing on "Dynasty," ''Melrose Place" and "Crossing Jordan."

Howard was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild in 2009 and was a catalyst for its 2012 merger with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union. Combined, the groups represent 160,000 actors, broadcasters and recording artists.

Howard was the first president of SAG-AFTRA and was re-elected to the post last year.

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