Terence Stamp, the acclaimed English actor best known for his portrayal of General Zod in the Superman films, has died at the age of 87.
Throughout a distinguished career spanning six decades, the Oscar-nominated performer starred in a diverse range of films, including “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” “Far From the Madding Crowd,” and “Valkyrie.”
Stamp passed away on Sunday morning, according to a statement released by his family to Reuters news agency.
“He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and a writer, that will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come,” the statement conveyed.
Born in Stepney, East London, on July 22, 1938, to working-class parents, Stamp attended grammar school before initially pursuing a career in advertising.
After securing a scholarship to drama school, he rose to prominence in the 1960s, debuting in the titular role of “Billy Budd,” a 1962 film depicting a naive young seaman in the 18th century.
His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor and a Golden Globe Award for best newcomer.
He subsequently established himself as a notable villain, delivering memorable performances as General Zod in “Superman” and “Superman II,” as well as Freddie Clegg, the kidnapper in “The Collector,” and Sergeant Troy in “Far From the Madding Crowd.”
During his 1960s heyday, Stamp was recognized for his striking looks, impeccable fashion sense, and high-profile relationships with actress Julie Christie, his co-star in “Far From the Madding Crowd,” and supermodel Jean Shrimpton.
His relationship with Christie, though brief, was immortalized in The Kinks’ song “Waterloo Sunset” with the lyric “Terry meets Julie,” widely believed to reference the couple.
Stamp was considered to succeed Sean Connery as James Bond, but his unconventional ideas for the character reportedly deterred producer Harry Saltzman.
“I think my ideas about it put the frighteners on Harry,” Stamp once said. “I didn’t get a second call from him.”
He spent time in Italy, collaborating with directors Pier Paolo Pasolini and Federico Fellini, but upon returning to London in the late 1960s, his star power had diminished.
“When the 1960s ended, I think because I’d been so identified with it, I kind of ended as well,” he later reflected on BBC Radio 4’s “Desert Island Discs.”
“I thought if I could be good looking, and I could be successful and I could be famous, everything would be solved. And when it all kind of came to an end, I thought to myself there’s been a lot of fun but there hasn’t been any real, deep internal satisfaction.”
He took a break from acting, embarking on a round-the-world journey that led him to India, where he studied yoga and resided in a spiritual retreat before receiving the offer to play General Zod in “Superman” in 1976.
Returning to the screen, he appeared in numerous films in subsequent decades, including “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” “A Song for Marion,” “The Adjustment Bureau,” and “Last Night in Soho.”
One of his most acclaimed performances was in the 1994 Australian film, “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” where he portrayed a transgender woman.
Stamp was reportedly set to return for a sequel to “Priscilla,” as confirmed by director Stephan Elliott last year.
Elliott described Stamp, then 85, as the “fittest man I’ve ever met in my life” who “has never drunk and basically eats grass.”
“It took him a long time to think about it until he got there,” he told The Guardian, “but eventually he said to me, ‘You know what? You’re right. We’re not finished yet. The story is untold.'”