Batman Begins and Dunkirk actor John Nolan has died at the age of 87.

The actor - who was the uncle of screenwriter-film producer Jonathan Nolan and director Christopher Nolan - died on April 11.

In a statement to the Stratford-Upon-Avon Herald, John's widow, Kim Hartman, described John as "a free spirit, who always knew what he wanted and acted on his own terms; the only truly original thinker I think I ever knew. Articulate, intelligent and with an anarchic wit, he was always willing to see both sides of an argument."

She added: "He was also the kindest person I ever knew - and animals loved him too! John was a popular and talented teacher, whether explaining a Shakespeare soliloquy or how to swing a golf club, and was devoted to his family."

John is also survived by their children Miranda and Tom, and his grandchildren Dylan and Kara.

Fans rushed to social media platforms to pay tribute to the late actor - who played Douglas Fredericks, Wayne Enterprises board member, in 2005's Batman Begins and the Blind Man in 2017's Dunkirk.

An X user penned: "Aw RIP John Nolan! Always a pleasure to watch him on film in all of these excellent projects."