Los Angeles - Veteran US actor James Whitmore died of lung cancer at his Malibu, California home aged 87, news reports said Saturday.

Whitmore died on Friday, the Los Angeles Times quoted the actor's son Steve as saying.

The actor, who was born on October 1, 1921 in White Plains, New York picked up an Oscar nomination for a lead role for his portrayal of US president Harry Truman in Give 'em Hell Harry! in 1975.

During his long career, Whitmore, who made his debut on Broadway in 1947, earned a Tony Award and one Emmy Award.

Known for his one-man shows, the prolific character actor starred in film versions of musicals Oklahoma and Kiss Me, Kate, as well as Hollywood movies such as The Asphalt Jungle, war-movie Tora! Tora! Tora! or science-fiction classic Planet of the Apes.

Whitmore also appeared in a number of television series, including Rawhide, The Twilight Zone, Dr Kildare and drama series The Practice, which earned him an Emmy Award as a guest actor. (dpa)