The celebrated British actor Terence Stamp has passed away at 87, his family confirmed this morning.
The Oscar-nominated performer died on Sunday morning, though the cause has not been disclosed.
In a statement released to Reuters, the family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”
The family requested privacy during this difficult period, adding: “We ask for privacy at this sad time.”
Mr Stamp achieved international recognition for his portrayal of the tyrannical General Zod in the Superman films, though his career encompassed far more than this iconic villain role.
His breakthrough came in the vibrant London arts scene of the 1960s, where he established himself as one of Britain’s most promising talents.
The East End native, born in 1938 to a tugboat coal stoker, initially pursued advertising work before securing a drama school scholarship.
His film debut in Peter Ustinov’s 1962 adaptation of Billy Budd earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Stamp recalled: “To be cast by somebody like Ustinov was something that gave me a great deal of self-confidence in my film career.”
After missing out on the James Bond role that went to Sean Connery’s successor, Mr Stamp relocated to Italy, collaborating with renowned directors Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini in the late 1960s.
His career took an unexpected turn when he withdrew from acting to explore spirituality in India.
Based in Mumbai with extended stays at an ashram in Pune, he immersed himself in yoga and meditation, even contemplating becoming a tantric sex instructor.
A telegram from his London agent in 1977 changed everything. “I was on the night flight the next day,” Mr Stamp recalled about the Superman opportunity.
The role revitalised his Hollywood presence, leading to memorable performances including a transgender woman in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994).
Later films featured collaborations with Tom Cruise in Valkyrie (2008) and Matt Damon in The Adjustment Bureau (2011).
His romantic life attracted significant attention, particularly his relationship with Julie Christie and his partnership with model Jean Shrimpton, whom he described as the love of his life.
Stamp’s working-class roots profoundly shaped his perspective. “The great blessing of my life is that I had the really hard bit at the beginning because we were really poor,” he reflected.
His acting ambitions remained secret from his family initially. “I couldn’t tell anyone I wanted to be an actor because it was out of the question. I would have been laughed at,” he admitted.
The actor maintained notable friendships, including Princess Diana. “It wasn’t a formal thing, we’d just meet up for a cup of tea, or sometimes we’d have a long chat for an hour,” he told the Daily Express in 2017.
At 64, he married pharmacist Elizabeth O’Rourke, though they divorced in 2008. His philosophy remained unwavering: “I believed in myself.”
As the news of Mr Stamp’s death broke, floods of tributes hit social media from fans who expressed their sadness at the news.
“RIP Terence Stamp, the true General Zod,” one penned, with another writing: “RIP Terence Stamp! A formative crush that luckily lead me into some wondeful corners of cinema. We were lucky to have an actor with such range and taste.”
“Sad news about Terence Stamp. RIP,” another shared.
Someone else commented: “RIP Terence Stamp. What a wonderful actor,” with someone else posting: “RIP General Zod – Terence Stamp.”
“Sorry to hear that English actor Terence Stamp has passed away. Probably best known for Far From the Madding Crowd, Poor Cow and Superman #TerenceStamp #RIP,” one more added.