I was never a Prisoner obsessive (though I've always wanted to visit the Hotel Portmeirion), but I always thought Patrick McGoohan was one of the cool ones. He was always great guest star on Columbo, too, for which he won two Emmys. He was 80.
If you're never seen The Prisoner, one of the great mindf*%$s ever made, you can watch the entire series (all 17 episodes) online at AMC TV's website. As you may have heard, AMC is remaking the series and will air this year. Before you start booing and hissing, they've got a good track record with Mad Men and Breaking Bad, and it stars Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellan… maybe they won't screw it up entirely.
MP3: The Times – I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape
I watched a few episodes of the Prisoner for the first time when it came out on DVD. It's really a great show. I'll hold on hope the remake is half as good.