He established himself across many high-profile television projects and films in Hollywood before meeting a tragic end.

The actor was appearing as a recurring character in the acclaimed series Mad Men but died unexpectedly before he could feature in another episode.

Christopher Allport was killed by three avalanches near the Mountain High ski resort in Wrightwood, California, alongside two other men who met the same horrifying fate. The incident occurred within the San Gabriel Mountains on January 25 of 2008, where winter storms had been swarming the region severely.

The location, which is normally an avalanche-free zone, had just been struck by three feet of snow the week before Allport's death and may well have been the factor attracting him there. The actor and winter sports enthusiast ventured out that day like any other, relishing the fresh snow on the mountainside, and conditions deteriorated dangerously within moments.

Allport was amongst three men who perished in the avalanche, together with Michael McKay, an off-duty member of the resort's ski patrol, and Darin Bodie Coffey. A fourth man, however, managed to survive after striking a rock and making his way to safety.

The X-Files actor had reportedly been skiing outside the resort's boundaries in the northeast area of Los Angeles with a friend, and was subsequently discovered dead beneath 10 feet of snow at 9:45am.

It is understood that such out-of-bounds areas, where he ventured that day, are clearly signposted, yet staff hold no authority to prevent skiers from entering them.

At 60, he was still regarded as a "passionate adventurer", and it was his devotion to the sport that ultimately led him to his final moments. Indeed, he had previously penned a piece about 'the pleasures of backcountry skiing' for the Los Angeles Times some years earlier.

In his article he stated: "With backcountry savvy, the right equipment, survival skills and a sense of adventure, skilled mountain hands can leave the masses behind and experience the freedom and solitude of the wilderness in winter."

He further wrote: "Any excursion into the mountains requires awareness. Have fun, but be careful." These words would ultimately prove tragically prophetic.

His friend Jordan Roberts paid tribute to his unwavering love of sport, telling the Los Angeles Times: "He would surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon. He was knowledgeable in every conceivable outdoor activity."

His untimely death had to be written into his on-screen work, as he was scheduled to portray Pete Campbell's father, Andrew, in the 2007 drama series Mad Men, but producers were left with no alternative other than to write him out. During the show's first season, Allport's character meets his end in the episode 'Flight One', perishing in the crash of American Airlines Flight 1.

Beyond the screen, he left behind his wife, author Susan Hayden, to whom he had been married since 1993. The television actor also had two children, Mason from a previous marriage, and Andrew.