Terence Stamp, ‘Superman’ and ‘Billy Budd’ actor, dies age 87
Terence Stamp, best known for his roles in the first two Superman films, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Billy Budd, has died aged 87.
The English actor was celebrated for his villainous appearance as General Zod opposite Christopher Reeve’s Superman, while he earned an Academy Award nomination for his appearance in Billy Budd, which was also his debut film role.
In a statement from his family, first reported by Reuters, they said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and a writer that will continue to touch people for years to come,” adding that they ask for privacy at this time.
Having started his career in 1960, Stamp was initially a stage performer, playing his first role on the West End in Wolf Mankowitz’s This Year Next Year.
He would transition to the screen later in the 1960s, and over the course of six decades, earned his place as one of Britain’s most celebrated character actors.
He famously lived with fellow actor Michael Caine in London during his early years in the industry, who was responsible for encouraging Stamp to accept the leading role in the Broadway adaptation of Alfie, which Caine starred in the film version of two years later.
Stamp’s image was also famously used by The Smiths for the sleeve of their single, ‘What Difference Does It Make?’, which features an unused still from his performance in The Collector.
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