LOS ANGELES — Miguel Ferrer, an actor with a list of credits ranging from “Twin Peaks” to his current role on CBS' “NCIS: Los Angeles,” died of cancer Thursday. He was 61.

A fixture on TV and in movies since the 1980s, Ferrer's reputation as a scene-stealer began with 1987's “RoboCop,” where he played Bob Morton, the conniving corporate executive who designed the film's title cyborg.

His other landmark role was as FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield in David Lynch's landmark series “Twin Peaks,” along with its corresponding film, “Fire Walk With Me.”

Ferrer reprised the role in the upcoming return of the series, which is set to debut in May on Showtime.

“Great talent, better man,” wrote “Twin Peaks” co-creator Mark Frost on Twitter. “Working & writing for him was a highlight in every part of my life.”

Since 2012, Ferrer had appeared on “NCIS: Los Angeles” as Owen Granger, the unit's assistant director. In the series' most recent episode, last week, Granger was stabbed, leaving his fate in doubt.

The series' show runner, R. Scott Gemmill, said in a statement, “Today, ‘NCIS: Los Angeles' lost a beloved family member. Miguel was a man of tremendous talent who had a powerful dramatic presence on screen, a wicked sense of humor, and a huge heart.”

Born in Santa Monica, Calif., in 1955 as the son of Oscar-winner Jose Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney — both Hollywood stars — Ferrer began his show business career as a drummer.

He performed on the 1975 solo album by the Who's drummer Keith Moon, “Two Sides of the Moon,” and backed Clooney on her mid-1970s tour with her “White Christmas” co-star Bing Crosby.

“I played with her from about the time I was 18, and I conducted for her many times, too,” Ferrer told the Cincinnati Enquirer in 2002. “There was not a night I didn't want to pinch myself and say, ‘Look what I'm doing!'?”

Ferrer in 1977 switched his focus to acting, landing small roles on “Magnum, P.I.,” “Hill Street Blues” and “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,” before his breakthrough role in “RoboCop.”

Given his father's track record as an actor, it wasn't a decision he came to lightly. “That can be an intimidating thing to try and do what he does so well,” Ferrer told The Los Angeles Times in 1990. “It took me a while to become sure enough to try it out and be able to call my dad and say, ‘Guess what? I am going to take a whack at what you do. What do you think?'?”

He worked steadily, appearing in the horror film “DeepStar Six” as well as a TV version of Stephen King's “The Stand” in 1994. He also appeared opposite Jill Hennessy on NBC's “Crossing Jordan” from 2001 to 2007.

The actor also worked in animated films, voicing the ruthless Shan Yu in 1998's “Mulan.”

Ferrer, a cousin of actor George Clooney, is survived by his wife, Lori, and two sons, Lukas and Rafi.

Associated Press contributed.

christopher.barton@latimes.com