A Hollywood actor who enjoyed ocean racing, interior designing and who worked in the oil business has died aged 79.

Hugh Millais, appeared in films such as McCabe and Mrs Miller, the Samson Riddle and The Dogs of War. He once sailed a boat to Venice, sold her and, after being robbed, walked home to England. In 1954 he won the Cat Key to Havana race in his yacht Benbow. During a revolution in Cuba he was shot through the arm and given First Aid by Ernest Hemingway.

He met on-screen beauties such as Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth and Susannah York.