SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Fri August 3, 2001) (AP) _ Alex Nicol, a character actor who had supporting roles in spaghetti Westerns and science fiction television shows, died Sunday. He was 85.

The New York native began his acting career in Shakespeare plays. After serving in the Army during World War II, he settled in New York City and became a charter member of Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio.

He landed parts in the original Broadway productions of ``South Pacific' and ``Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.'

The actor signed a contract with Universal Studios, which led to his big-screen debut in ``The Sleeping City' in 1950. Other films he acted in included ``Strategic Air Command' with James Stewart and 1951's ``Tomahawk.'

He also appeared on various science fiction TV shows such as ``The Twilight Zone' and ``The Outer Limits.'

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