Iconic musician and actor David Bowie dies at 69

Legendary singer and actor David Bowie has died at the age of 69.

Bowie's son, director Duncan Jones, confirmed the news on Twitter early Monday morning. Bowie's representatives told The Hollywood Reporter that the singer had been battling cancer for 18 months.

"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief," representatives said.

Bowie, who just released his most recent album Blackstar on Jan. 8, was surrounded by family when he passed.

Although Bowie is best known for his career as a musician, he also had a respected role in the world of film and television. Bowie appeared in many movies between 1976 and 2008, but is most notable for his role as Jareth the Goblin King in Jim Henson's 1986 cult film, Labyrinth. Bowie later portrayed Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan's 2006 drama, The Prestige, alongside Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale.

Bowie is survived by his wife, Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, son Duncan Jones and daughter Alexandria "Lexi" Zahra Jones.