Former CIA agent Tony Mendez died Saturday in Frederick, Maryland. That's what his family shared. Mendez had been suffering from Parkinson's for more than ten years. He was 78 years old.
During his time as a CIA agent, Mendez specialized in undercover operations. Following the storming of the US Embassy in Tehran at the end of 1979, he spectacularly escaped six US-backed diplomats.
The diplomats had escaped from the US embassy and hid in the Embassy of Canada. Mendez then thought of a Hollywood production - the title of the fictitious science fiction film was "Argo" - and visited for alleged preparations for the shooting Iran. On January 27, 1980 Mendez then left with the six US diplomats who had turned out to be employees of the film crew and had received false Canadian passports.
A "true American hero"
The story was filmed in 2012 by director and actor Ben Affleck, he also took the lead role and played Mendez. The political thriller "Argo" won three Oscars the following year, including Best Picture.
Affleck now wrote on Twitter that Mendez was a man of "extraordinary decency, extraordinary modesty and kindness". "I am so proud to have worked with him and to have told one of his stories."
US Secretary of State and ex-CIA chief Mike Pompeo praised Mendez as a "real American hero". He was an "incredibly talented intelligence officer."