Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada film director, actor and action filmmaker Joe Simon (80) passed away on Thursday (February 13)  due to a heart attack.

Joe Simon collapsed during an executive committee meeting held at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce in Bengaluru. He reportedly fell ill in the middle of the meeting and was rushed to a nearby private hospital. However, he did not respond to treatment and breathed his last.

A native of Mandya district, Joe Simon began his career in the Kannada film industry as a make-up assistant. He later went on to work in more than 100 films in different capacities and established himself as a director known for action-oriented movies.

He directed several popular films including Simhada Jodi, Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha, Maha Prachandaru, and Nyaya Gedditu. He also directed Agent Amar, starring Ambareesh, and worked on films featuring Vishnuvardhan, including the hit action film Sahasa Simha.

Apart from directing, Joe Simon was also known as an actor, lyricist and screenplay writer in the Kannada film industry.

In recognition of his lifetime contribution to cinema, the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy honoured him with the B.R. Panthulu Award in 2013.