Legendary showbiz reporter Donald Zec, who interviewed countless Hollywood stars and linked arms with Marilyn Monroe, has died at the age of 102. 

During his 40-year stint with the Daily Mirror, the Jewish veteran newshound met many of the biggest celebrities, from screen icon Cary Grant to boxer Muhammad Ali and was made an OBE for his services to journalism in 1970.

He “died in the early hours of this morning, 1:45 to be exact, having asked for ice cream some 2:45 hours earlier,” his nephew Rob Cowan said Monday.

“Only Donald!,” he added in a heartfelt tribute to the “spontaneous wit, raconteur, and a loving family elder who spared no effort in guiding and supporting his nephews and nieces.”

After his wife's death in 2006, Mr Zec found comfort in painting and won awards for his work.

Speaking to the the Daily Mirror, Mr Zec's son Paul, 81, praised the “incredible man who had a great zest for life” and made people laugh within minutes of meeting them. 

“I remember him introducing me to stars at film premieres and bringing famous friends like Shirley MacLaine and Cary Grant back to our flat.

“But he was more interested in just being the best dad. His whole family adored him, but we always had to coax the stories out of him,” he added.