Actor Has Terminal Cancer: Wilko Johnson Refuses Chemo

"Game of Thrones" actor Wilko Johnson has terminal cancer of the pancreas and "has chosen not to receive any chemotherapy," his manager announced Thursday.

Nonetheless, the 65-year-old British actor and musician "is currently in good spirits, is not yet suffering any physical effects and can expect to enjoy at least another few months of reasonable health and activity," writes Robert Hoy in a post on Johnson's Facebook page.

"He has just set off on a trip to Japan; on his return we plan to complete a new CD, make a short tour of France, then give a series of farewell gigs in the UK. There is also a live DVD in the pipeline, filmed on the last UK tour," the post reads. 

Hoy adds: "Wilko wishes to offer his sincere thanks for all the support he has had over his long career, from those who have worked with him to, above all, those devoted fans and admirers who have attended his live gigs, bought his recordings and generally made his life such an extraordinarily full and eventful experience."

A former guitarist and songwriter of the 1970s UK rhythm and blues band Dr. Feelgood, Johnson was cast in the role of mute executioner Ilyn Payne in HBO's hit fantasy series "Game of Thrones," after producers saw him in the 2009 documentary film "Oil City Confidential."

"'They said they wanted somebody really sinister who went around looking daggers at people before killing them," the actor said. "That made it easy. Looking daggers at people is what I do all the time, it's like second nature to me'."

Johnson appeared as Ilyn Payne in four "Game of Thrones" episodes: "The Kingsroad", "Baelor" and "Fire and Blood" (Season 1, 2011), and "Blackwater" (Season 2, 2012).