James Rebhorn, the veteran movie and television actor who most recently starred in the Showtime drama "Homeland," has died. He was 65.

Rebhorn lost his long battle with skin cancer Friday night at his home in New Jersey, said Dianne Busch, his agent.

"Jim died from melanoma, which was diagnosed in 1992. He has been fighting it all this time," Busch told ABC News.

A prolific actor whose career spanned five decades, Rebhorn has played everything from a gutless Secretary of Defense in the 1996 movie "Independence Day" to his latest role as Claire Danes character's father in "Homeland."

Rebhorn's distinctly authoritative deportment landed him many recurring roles as lawyers, military servicemen and police agents. He is well known as the headmaster in "Scent of a Woman" (1992), in which he starred alongside Al Pacino and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and as a shipping magnate in "The Talented Mr Ripley" (1999).

More recently, Rebhorn played the role of Special Agent Reese Hughes in the USA Network's "White Collar," and appeared as an attorney in a number of David E. Kelley shows, such as "The Practice," "Boston Legal, and "Law and Order."

His extensive resume includes appearances in Basic Instinct (1992), Lorenzo's Oil (1992), Guarding Tess (1994), The Game (1997), Snow Falling on Cedars (1999), Meet the Parents (2000), Far From Heaven (2002), Cold Mountain (2003), Real Steel (2011) and The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012).

An outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues on Twitter showed the popularity of an actor whose face was easily recognizable from an enormous catalogue of films.

James Rebhorn, RIP. On behalf of all film buffs, we took for granted you'd always be there & be great, 'cause you always were.

- Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) March 23, 2014

James Rebhorn, RIP. One of the great "Oh, it's that guy" actors. http://t.co/3hfH6RZeRF

- Radley Balko (@radleybalko) March 23, 2014

It's a sad day. I just learned James Rebhorn passed. Such a great talent and always a joy to work with. RIP.

- Roland Emmerich (@rolandemmerich) March 23, 2014

So sad to hear about the passing of James Rebhorn. He played my dad in Sleepwalk With Me. I feel so lucky to have known such a great person.

- Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) March 23, 2014

In recent months, Rebhorn also took center stage off-Broadway in the Roundabout Theater Company produced play "Too Much, Too Much, Too Many." He made numerous appearance in other Roundabout productions and took on Broadway plays with the same consistent talent that he exhibited in his movie and television roles.

Rebhorn is succeeded by his wife Rebecca Linn and two daughters, Emma Rebecca Rebhorn and Hannah Rebhorn.

Actor James Rebhorn attends the BAMcinemaFest 2012 opening night screening of "Sleepwalk With Me" at BAM on June 20, 2012 in New York City. Robin Marchant/Getty Images