Superman actor Terence Stamp dies aged 87
Hollywood actor Terence Stamp, best known for his starring roles in the Superman franchise, has died at the age of 87.
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Born in London, the actor was best known for his prominent role as arch-villain General Zod in the Superman films.
He later went on to star in Superman spin-off television series Smallville.
Most recently, the star was credited with his roles in Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho, as well as His Dark Materials.
In a statement this morning, his family said: "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.
"We ask for privacy at this sad time."
Mr Stamp appeared in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994 in which he played a transgender woman.
Other notable credits include hit Hollywood films Wanted and Get Smart.
Known for his stylish clothes, Stamp famously dated actress Julie Christie, who he performed alongside in the 1967 film Far From The Madding Crowd and was also in a relationship with the model Jean Shrimpton.
Born in 1938 in London, Mr Stamp endured the Blitz in World War Two alongside his family.
HIs father worked as a tugboat stoker, living in the East End.
Mr Stamp left school to work in advertising, before winning a scholarship for drama school.
The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art scholarship led him to the stage, where he acted in repertory theatre and met Michael Caine, who was five years older than him.
The pair lived together in a flat in Harley Street while they were both looking for their big break, but they parted ways and lost touch, Stamp previously told The Guardian.
He made his film debut in Peter Ustinov’s 1962 film adaptation of Herman Melville’s Billy Budd and his portrayal of the title character brought an Oscar nomination.
After missing out on the role of James Bond, he fell out of the limelight for a while and studied yoga in India.
Despite this, he then landed his biggest role yet - General Zod, the leader of the Kryptonians, in Superman 1978, followed by the 1980 sequel.
He began voice acting and writing books in the late ’90s, but also continued acting in films, appearing alongside Tom Cruise in Valkyrie in 2008 and working on movies directed by Tim Burton.
Stamp married 29-year-old Elizabeth O’Rourke in 2002 at the age of 64 but the couple divorced six years later. He did not have any children.
His film career spanning six decades ended with the 2021 psychological thriller Last Night In Soho.
Stamp’s death was confirmed in a death notice published online, the Associated Press said.