Comic Dick Martin, who starred with Dan Rowan in the hit 1960s television variety show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In," helping to launch the Hollywood careers of stars such as Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin, has died. He was 86.

Martin, who became a top television director after he and Rowan parted amicably in the 1970s, died of respiratory complications on Saturday at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, near his home, spokesman Barry Greenberg said.

Greenberg said Martin, who had suffered respiratory problems for years, died at around 6 p.m. local time while surrounded by members of his family.

[reuters]