Tom Alter suffering from fourth stage of bone cancer, confirms son Jamie

Veteran film and theatre actor Tom Alter is suffering from bone cancer, his his son Jamie Alter confirmed to a newspaper.

The cancer is in its fourth stage, Jamie told Indian Express, refusing to divulge more details.

Tom was discharged from a hospital in Mumbai last week. It was said that he was suffering from body pain, but there were rumours about the actor suffering from a serious ailment.

Currently 67, Tom is known for his acts as British or foreign characters in a number of films like Charas (1976), which was also his debut film, Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977), Hum Kisise Kum Nahin (1977), Kranti (1981), Sardar (1993) in which he played Lord Mountbatten, Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) and others. It is his American roots that made him an ideal choice for such roles.

However, Tom also mastered the art of Urdu language which landed him with lucrative roles in plays like Ghalib In Delhi, KL Saigal and Lal Qile Ka Aakhri Mushaira.

The veteran actor is also known for his acts in well-known television series like Zabaan Sambhalke, Junoon, Shaktimaan and Sanvidhaan.

He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2008.