Patrick Macnee (born February 6, 1922, in London, England as Daniel Patrick Macnee) is a British-born actor.

Despite numerous roles in theatre, on television and in cinema, Macnee is still best known as the inimitable secret agent John Steed in the series The Avengers (broadcast from 1961 to 1969). Initially a secondary character — the series was conceived as a vehicle for Ian Hendry, who played an associate of Steed’s — Steed (and Macnee) became the centre of the show after Hendry’s departure at the end of the first season, playing opposite a succession of female partners that included Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg, and finally Linda Thorson.

Macnee’s other notable roles have included playing Sir Godfrey Tibbett opposite his friend Roger Moore in the James Bond film A View to a Kill, as Major Crossley in The Sea Wolves (again with Moore), guest roles in Alias Smith and Jones, Hart to Hart, Murder, She Wrote, Battlestar Galactica and The Love Boat. Ironically, though Macnee found fame as the heroic Steed, the majority of his guest appearances have been in villainous roles. He also presented the American paranormal series, Mysteries, Magic and Miracles.