Terence Stamp, the English actor celebrated for his striking screen presence and memorable turn as General Zod in the Superman films, has died aged 87, his family confirmed to Reuters.
Stamp first made his mark in the 1960s with acclaimed performances in Billy Budd (1962), which earned him an Oscar nomination, William Wyler’s The Collector (1965), and John Schlesinger’s Far From the Madding Crowd (1967).
His matinee-idol looks and intense performances quickly established him as one of Britain’s most exciting talents.
Though he began his career playing innocent or romantic figures, he became best known for darker roles. His chilling portrayal of General Zod in Superman II (1980) remains a career-defining performance. He later voiced Superman’s father, Jor-El, in the TV series Smallville.
Stamp enjoyed a varied career, moving between mainstream Hollywood projects and more experimental European cinema. He worked with Federico Fellini (Spirits of the Dead), Pier Paolo Pasolini (Teorema), and Ken Loach (Poor Cow). He also won best actor at Cannes for The Collector.
His later highlights included Steven Soderbergh’s The Limey (1999), in which critics praised his fierce, elegiac performance, and the cult Australian hit The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), where he surprised audiences with a moving portrayal of a transgender woman. He also appeared in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999), Bowfinger, Wanted, Valkyrie and The Adjustment Bureau.
On stage, he performed in repertory theatre and on Broadway, where he appeared in Alfie! before recommending his roommate Michael Caine for the film version—a role that made Caine a star.
Born in Stepney, East London, Stamp trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He was briefly married to Elizabeth O’Rourke (2002–08) and published his autobiography Stamp Album in 1988.
In a statement, his family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and a writer, that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”