Actor Ian Gelder, known as Kevan Lannister in 'Game of Thrones,' dies at 74

Actor Ian Gelder, best known for his role as Kevan Lannister on the HBO series "Game of Thrones," has died at 74.

Fellow actor and Gelder's husband Ben Daniels shared the news of his death in an Instagram post on Tuesday. "It is with huge huge sadness and a heavy heart broken into a million pieces that I'm leaving this post," he wrote alongside a photo of the couple.

Daniels said Gelder died on Monday after being diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December. Also called cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer is a rare disease in which cancer cells form in the ducts, or tubes, connecting the liver, gallbladder and small intestine according to the National Cancer Institute.

A rep for Gelder, Daniel Albert, confirmed his death to USA TODAY in an email Wednesday. "Ian was a beautiful man, a fine actor and will be hugely missed by his colleagues and all those that loved him," Albert said.

In his post, Daniels wrote that he had "stopped all work to be his career but neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast." The photo shows the two smiling in a selfie in front of a Christmas tree, with Daniels later writing the picture was taken after he got Gelder out of the hospital to celebrate the holidays.

"He was my absolute rock and we'd been partners for more than 30 years," Daniels wrote. "The Exorcist" actor called Gelder the "kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being" as well as a "wonderful actor."

He concluded: "Everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without him by my side."

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Gelder's television work also included appearances on "Torchwood" as Mr. Dekker, "Doctor Who" as Zellin and the voice of the Remnants and "EastEnders" as Dr. Adam Gorman. He also starred in the 2009 drama "Pope Joan" as Aio.

On stage, the British actor performed in productions on London's West End and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ian Gelder dead: 'Game of Thrones' actor was 74