Romania's famous actor and musician Florian Pittis dies of cancer at 63

Romanian actor and folk musician Florian Pittis died from cancer at the age of 63, officials said Monday. Florian Pittis was famous for popularizing western rock bands in communist Romania.

Photo: Romania's famous actor and musician Florian Pittis dies of cancer at 63

Pittis, who had several shows on public radio and television, died Sunday in a Bucharest hospital from prostate cancer.

He had been famous since the 1960s, when he promoted the music of bands such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in communist Romania.

"His unique voice and special personality made him a symbol of my generation," said Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu. "He will always remain for me the youthful and free spirit surpassing the restrictions of his time."

Romania's public radio announced Monday it would rename one of its stations, Radio3Net, after Pittis.

"Something in me has died with him," said fellow actor Ion Caramitru, who is also a former culture minister. "We shared sorrows and joys at the Bulandra Theater ... from 1960 to 1989 when he gave up acting for music."

Pittis is survived by his wife. Funeral services were scheduled for Tuesday.