Terence Stamp, the English actor who brought the arch-villain General Zod to life in the original Superman films, has died at the age of 87.
Stamp’s family confirmed he passed away on Sunday morning in a statement to Reuters.
“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,” they said.
Born in Stepney, east London, on 22 July 1938, Stamp survived the Blitz and attended grammar school before a starting a career in advertising. After winning a scholarship to drama school, he rose to fame with his debut in Billy Budd (1962), playing the naive young seaman of the title. The role earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor and a Golden Globe for best newcomer.
With an acting career spanning six decades, the Oscar-nominated actor starred in acclaimed films including The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Far From the Madding Crowd, and Valkyrie. He went on to carve out a reputation for playing villains specifically, most notably as General Zod in Superman and Superman II, kidnapper Freddie Clegg in The Collector, and Sergeant Troy in Far From the Madding Crowd.
Bafta paid tribute, saying it was “saddened” by news of his death and noting his two nominations, in 1963 and 1995.
Sarah Douglas, his Superman co-star, remembered him as “beyond gorgeous and talented”.
Writing on Instagram, she added: “So saddened to learn that Terence has left us. I learnt so very much from him. What a start to my career to have spent so many months in his company. My love and heartfelt condolences to all who cared for him. What a loss.”
At one point, producers even considered Tramp as a successor to Sean Connery’s James Bond. Stamp later admitted his bold interpretation of the role cost him the chance.
“I think my ideas about it put the frighteners on Harry,” he said of producer Harry Saltzman. “I didn’t get a second call from him.”
After failing to secure the role of James Bond, he appeared in Italian films and worked with Federico Fellini in the late 1960s.
Following his spell in Italy, Stamp returned to London at the end of the decade to find his star had dimmed.
“When the 1960s ended, I think because I’d been so identified with it, I kind of ended as well,” he told 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 then put his acting career on hold for several years, travelling to India to study yoga and live in a spiritual retreat.
Despite calling the move “epic,” he admitted he was “distraught”. “I never imagined this would happen. I always thought after six months or so some great part would come up and nothing did.”
That significant role came in 1976, when he was cast as General Zod, cementing his legacy in film history.
Stamp went on to feature in major productions including Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace, Wall Street, The Adjustment Bureau, A Song for Marion, and Last Night in Soho.
Reflecting on his career, he admitted: “My only regrets are the films that I passed on because I was fearful.” He cited Camelot and Romeo and Juliet with Audrey Hepburn as missed opportunities he wished he had “in my canon.”
Among his most acclaimed roles was Bernadette, a transgender woman in the 1994 Australian hit The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The performance earned him BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.
Stamp was allegedly onboard to revive his role in Priscilla, director Elliott confirmed in 2024.
Director Stephan Elliott also revealed in 2024. Stamp, then 85, had agreed to return for a sequel. Describing him as the “fittest man I’ve ever met in my life” who “has never drunk and basically eats grass,” Elliott recalled Stamp’s eventual change of heart.
“It took him a long time to think about it until he got there, but eventually he said to me, ‘You know what? You’re right. We’re not finished yet. The story is untold.'”
Images: Instagram
