Terence Stamp, who famously played General Zod in Superman and Superman II, has died, aged 87.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who was born in London’s East End, starred in more than 60 films including Theorem, A Season In Hell, The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, Young Guns and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
In a statement, via Sky News, his family said he died this morning (August 17) adding: “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.”
Stamp’s first film performance was as the title character in 1962’s historical adventure movie Billy Budd. It earned him an Oscar nomination and proved to be his big break.
Terence Stamp (22 July 1938 – 17 August 2025) R.I.P pic.twitter.com/AsiLnYT9B6
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Classic British TV
Classic British TV But one of the roles he will be remembered for most was General Zod in Superman in 1978 and sequel Superman II in 1980 alongside Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman.
From 2003 to 2011, the actor, also recurred (via voice only) on the TV series Smallville as Jor-El, Superman’s real father from the planet Krypton.
Stamp received various accolades during his career, including a Golden Globe in 1962 for most promising newcomer for Billy Budd and a Cannes Film Festival best actor award in 1965 for The Collector.
He also received Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for his performance in Billy Budd, as well as a second BAFTA nod in 1994 for his role in The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert – which co-starred Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce.
Pearce was one of the first to pay tribute to Stamp. He wrote on X: “Fairwell dear Tel. You were a true inspiration, both in & out of heels. We’ll always have Kings Canyon, Kings road & F’ing ABBA. Wishing you well on your way ‘Ralph’! xxxx”
Fairwell dear Tel. You were a true inspiration, both in & out of heels. We’ll always have Kings Canyon, Kings road & F’ing ABBA. Wishing you well on your way ‘Ralph’! xxxx
— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) August 17, 2025
In 1999, the actor played Chancellor Valorum, leader of the Galactic Republic, in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, and in the Steve Martin-Eddie Murphy comedy Bowfinger. That same year he also appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s The Limey.
More recently he had appeared in Tim Burton’s 2014 film Big Eyes. His final roles included a brief cameo in Edgar Wright’s 2021 Last Night In Soho and an appearance on the TV series His Dark Materials.
Stamp was married to Elizabeth O’Rourke from 2002-08.
This is a breaking news story more to follow.
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