Danish actor who inspired 'TINTIN' dies at 98

Palle Huld, the Danish actor said to have inspired the creation of the comics character Tintin, has died in Copenhagen at age 98, the Associated Press reports.

In 1928, Huld won a contest by the Danish newspaper Politiken that sent the 15-year-old reporter abroad -- including Siberia, Japan and North America. The trip drew headlines and crowds upon Huld's return and led to his book "Around the World in 44 Days with Palle" [pictured, right].

According to lore, Huld's teen journey prompted the Belgian cartoonist George Prosper Remi -- pen name Hergé -- to create his globetrotting boy journalist/detective of the legendary "Tintin." The comic, known for its "clear line" style, has reportedly sold more than 200 million books and has drawn criticism for its cultural stereotypes. (Hergé died in 1983, at age 75.)

Huld would go on to have a long career as a stage and screen actor, appearing in dozens of Danish films. Huld reportedly died Nov. 26

Steven Spielberg's film "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" is scheduled to be released next year, with Jamie Bell in the title role and co-starring Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis.