Performer Davy Jones died of a heart attack Wednesday at a hospital in Florida, the Associted Press reported Wednesday.

The Manchester, England, native started his acting career as a child and appeared on the television series "The Monkees" in 1966. The musical group was formed under the influence of the iconic band the Beatles.

Such hits as "I’m a Believer," "(Theme from) The Monkees," and "Last Train to Clarksville" put the group on the map, and its popularity rose quickly.

Jones played the tambourine in the group and also sang lead vocals on songs including "Daydream Believer" and "I Wanna Be Free."

He was a heartthrob of the group and won the hearts of many fans with his charming looks and British accent.

While the group didn’t have the staying power of the quartet after which it was modeled, the Monkees actually sold more albums in 1967, at the peak of the group’s hype, than the Beatles, according to The Atlantic.

The group came together for a 45th-anniversary tour last summer.

— by Hannah Kramer