Dean Jones, who starred in some of the most memorable live-action Disney flicks of the 1960s and '70s, died in Los Angeles on Monday of Parkinson's disease. He was 84.

Jones rose to stardom thanks to a handful of roles in successful Disney family films like "That Darn Cat!" and "The Love Bug," the latter of which introduced the world to Herbie, the Volkswagen Beetle with human-like tendencies. Jones was offered the lead role in 1965's "That Darn Cat!," opposite Hayley Mills, by Walt Disney himself, after impressing the studio head with his part on NBC sitcom "Ensign O'Toole."

He starred in many more Disney films, including "Monkeys, Go Home," "Million Dollar Duck," and "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo." Jones also had a small part in Elvis Presley's 1957 classic "Jail House Rock," and appeared in "Clear and Present Danger," ''Beethoven," and "Other People's Money," among others, including a cameo in the 1997 remake of "That Darn Cat."

He also hosted the 1969 TV variety show, "What's It All About, World?," and had a successful stage career, including making his Broadway debut in a production with Jane Fonda in 1960.

Jones is survived by his wife, Lory; three children; and eight grandchildren.

[via: ABC News]

Photo credit: Associated Press