British actor Terence Stamp – who famously played General Zod in Superman and Superman II – has died at the age of 87.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who was born in London’s East End, also starred in hits such as Theorem, A Season in Hell, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
He formed one of Britain’s most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in Far From the Madding Crowd in 1967.
Terence Stamp as General Zod in the film Superman. Pic: Warner Bros/Dc Comics/Kobal/Shutterstock
In a statement, his family said he died on Sunday morning, adding: “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.”
Stamp was born on 22 July 1938 and was the son of a tugboat stoker.
Growing up in London during the Second World War, he endured the Blitz as a child and left school to work initially in advertising before later securing a scholarship to go to drama school.
Stamp received various accolades during his career, including a Golden Globe in 1962 for most promising newcomer for Billy Budd and a Cannes Film Festival best actor award in 1965 for The Collector.
Stamp at the 2008 premiere of Valkyrie. Pic: Reuters
He also received Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for his performance in Billy Budd, as well as a second BAFTA nod in 1994 for his role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – which co-starred Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce.
His most high-profile role was that of General Zod, the villainous leader of three Kryptonian criminals in the 1978 movie Superman and its 1980 sequel Superman II – which starred Christopher Reeve in the lead role.
Stamp in 2005. Pic: Reuters
His other films also include Young Guns, The Limey and Valkyrie with Tom Cruise.
Most recently, Stamp starred in director Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho. The 2021 psychological horror film also featured Diana Rigg, Anya Taylor-Joy and Matt Smith.
As well as appearing on television and on stage, Stamp additionally lent his voice for video games – appearing in the likes of Halo 3 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
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Stamp liked to recall how he was on the verge of becoming a tantric sex teacher at an ashram in India when, in 1977, he received a telegram from his London agent with news that he was being considered for the Superman film.
“I was on the night flight the next day,” Stamp said in an interview with his publisher Watkins Books in 2015.
After eight years largely out of work, landing the role of villain General Zod – the megalomaniacal leader of the Kryptonians – the full glare of Hollywood’s limelight fell on the London-born star.
Buoyed by his new role, Stamp said he would respond to curious looks from passers-by with a command of: “Kneel before Zod, you b***ards,” which was said to have gone down a storm.
