Director Spike Lee has paid tribute to Do The Right Thing actor Bill Nunn, who has died aged 62.

Bill starred in the Oscar-nominated 1989 film as Radio Raheem, who dies when choked by police during a street brawl in Brooklyn.

Spike Lee
Spike Lee paid tribute to Bill Nunn (Evan Agostini/AP)

In a hearfelt post on Instagram, Spike said Bill died in his home town of Pittsburgh and described him as a “great actor” and “dear friend”.

Alongside a photo of Bill, Spike wrote: “Long live Bill Nunn. Radio Raheem is now resting in power.”

Bill appeared in Spike’s first film School Daze before landing his most famous role in Do The Right Thing.

He went on to appear in dozens of films and TV shows including New Jack City and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy.

Bill’s wife, Donna, confirmed he died on Saturday after battling cancer.

Bill was the son of a prominent scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers, also named Bill Nunn, and befriended future Steelers president Art Rooney II while both worked as ballboys for the NFL team.