Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Aug 18: Renowned British actor Terence Stamp, celebrated for his complex villain roles and immortalised as General Zod in the early Superman films, passed away at the age of 87. His death, revealed in an online notice, prompted tributes from fans and the film fraternity, including BAFTA.
Stamp began his film career with 1962’s Billy Budd, earning Oscar and BAFTA nominations, and went on to deliver memorable performances across six decades, including his BAFTA-nominated role as Bernadette in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994).
He became a global icon with his portrayal of the bearded villain General Zod in 1978’s Superman and Superman II, bringing a darker, vulnerable charm to the character. Stamp also appeared in The Collector (1965), Young Guns (1988), Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999), and voice roles in popular video games like Halo 3 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Director Edgar Wright remembered Stamp as “kind, funny, and endlessly fascinating,” while co-star Bill Duke praised his rare intensity on screen and warmth off it.
Born in London’s East End on July 22, 1938, Stamp was part of the 1960s British “angry young men” movement, trained under legends like Laurence Olivier, and had a colorful personal life marked by high-profile romances and a brief marriage.
Stamp leaves behind a legacy of iconic performances that shaped both British cinema and global pop culture.