Bill Nunn, actor who played 'Radio Raheem' in Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, dies aged 62

Mr Nunn plays the boombox-wielding character, who dies at the hands of a police officer, in the 1989 film Do The Right Thing

Bill Nunn (Getty Images for : Academy of Mo)

Bill Nunn, best known for his role as 'Radio Raheem' in Spike Lee's 1989 film Do The Right Thing, has died aged 62.

The actor passed away in his hometown of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania this morning, according to Mr Lee who made the news public in an Instagram post.

"Radio Raheem is now resting in power. Radio Raheem will always be fighting da powers dat be," wrote Mr Lee. "May god watch over Bill Nunn."

Mr Nunn, who played Robbie Robertson in the Spider Man trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, made his debut in Mr Lee's 1988 film School Daze.

He also starred in He Got Game and Mo' Better Blues, both directed by Mr Lee, and held supporting roles alongside Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act and Harrison Ford in Regarding Henry.

But it is the boombox-wielding character Radio Raheem – who dies at the hands of a police officer – for which he is best remembered.

Bill Nunn as Radio Raheem in Spike Lee's 1989 film Do The Right Thing (Rex Features)

In another Instagram post, Mr Lee posted a picture of the trainers worn by Mr Nunn in character as Radio Raheem, "as he was murdered by the NYPD in the infamous Michael Stewart (1983) and Eric Gardner (2014) chokeholds. Rest in peace."

Eric Garner's death in 2014 sparked protests against police brutality in the US and Mr Garner's last words "I can't breathe" have become a slogan used by the Black Lives Matter movement.

Mr Lee also wrote in a separate post: "Radio Raheem. Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It's a tale of good and evil.

"Hate! It was with this hand that Cane iced his brother. Love! These five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man."

“Raheem I love you bruh...” he added, as Mr Nunn's fans posted their own tributes to the star on social media.

“L-O-V-E that performance, H-A-T-E this news. RIP Bill Nunn,” wrote Twitter user Leigh Singer.

“Never stop fighting the power and always try to do the right thing,” wrote another user called Margena Christian.