Actor Kevin McCarthy, who played the frantic doctor trying to save his friends and neighbours in the science-fiction movie classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers, has died, aged 96.

Mr McCarthy died on Saturday, said Cape Cod Hospital spokesman Dave Riley, who would not reveal the cause of death or any other details.

Mr McCarthy’s acting career took off in 1938 with his Broadway debut in Abe Lincoln in Illinois.

Soon after, he became an early member of the Actors Studio and was chosen by Elia Kazan to play Biff, the son of Willy Loman, in the London production of Death of a Salesman.

He repeated the role in the 1951 film starring Fredric March and earned an Oscar nomination as supporting actor.

But while he would consistently win praise for his acting during a long and busy career, his most lasting fame would come for Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

In the 1956 film, he vainly tried to warn residents in his small town of the evil pod people from outer space who were quietly taking over the personalities of everyone on Earth.

His frantic shouting of “You’re next!” to those in approaching cars became so well known among science-fiction fans that he was often asked to spoof the role.

He more or less did that in the opening minutes of the 1978 remake, which starred Donald Sutherland as the hero menaced by the pod people.

Mr McCarthy’s other films included A Gathering of Eagles, The Best Man, Mirage, Hotel, The Howling, Twilight Zone – The Movie, Inner Space, Dark Tower, Just Cause, The Distinguished Gentleman and Steal Big, Steal Little.

He also appeared in one other classic film, although in a much smaller role.

He was Marilyn Monroe’s estranged husband in her last movie, 1961’s The Misfits.

He originally turned down the role when director John Huston approached him, complaining that it was too small.