Veteran cinema-television actor G Krishna Pillai has died.

Pillai (82) was undergoing treatment for age-related illness and died at his house near Kollam on Saturday night, family sources said.

A theatre-turned cinema-television actor, Pillai is known for his character and comedy roles in dramas, movies and TV serials.

Popularly known as Kollam G K Pillai, he began his acting career through theatre.

He had been active in theatre since 1960s and enacted a handful of memorable roles in noted dramas of that time including "Neetipeedham", "Kunjali Maraykkar" and "Ezharaponnana".

Pillai stepped into tinsel world by donning a role in 1965 movie "Masappady Mathupillai".

He had acted in over 70 films including "Chula", "My Dear Kuttichathan", "Mucheettu Kalikkarente Makal" and so on.

Pillai also appeared in some television serials also in the later years of his acting career. He leaves his wife and four daughters.