British star Terence Stamp, famed globally for his sinister role of General Zod in the iconic Superman movies, is dead at 87. Stamp's family announced the news on Sunday, disclosing that the actor died peacefully in the morning.
In a statement released to Reuters, the family stated: "He leaves behind an astonishing body of work, both as an actor and writer, that will go on to touch and inspire people for years to come. We request privacy at this unhappy time."
Born in 1938 in the East End of London, Stamp was the son of a tugboat stoker and came up during World War Two bombing raids. He left school at an early age, working initially in advertising before he was awarded a scholarship to study at drama school, the move that would lead him to a lifetime of creative endeavor.
His devastating appearance and acting ability soon established him as the front-man of Britain's swinging sixties. He played lead roles in movies like Far From the Madding Crowd (1967) with Julie Christie, for whom he was romantically involved. He also had relationships with model Jean Shrimpton and was a muse of well-known photographer David Bailey.
Stamp’s career spanned six decades and an eclectic mix of roles. He earned an Academy Award nomination for Billy Budd (1962) and later appeared in arthouse classics like Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Theorem (1968).
His career took a detour when he missed out on the role of James Bond following Sean Connery’s departure. Instead, he worked extensively in Italy, collaborating with directors such as Federico Fellini.
Following a period of withdrawal, in which he learned yoga in India, Stamp came back with his most memorable role: General Zod, the cruel Kryptonian antagonist in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). His authoritative line, "Kneel before Zod," continues to be remembered as a piece of cinema history.
Later in life, Stamp came to play a range of varied roles, from a transgender woman in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) to starring in large-budget Hollywood productions such as Valkyrie (2008) with Tom Cruise and The Adjustment Bureau (2011) with Matt Damon. He also collaborated with director Tim Burton on various films.
Stamp's enduring legacy is his adaptability, charm, and ability to reinvent himself across genres and generations. The passing of this actor marks the end of an era of a performer who spanned old-school cinema and contemporary Hollywood with equal eloquence.
