Terence Stamp, the British actor who brought cut-glass sophistication to every role he played, has died. Stamp was best known for starring inSuperman II,The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, andThe Limey. Stamp passed away this morning at the age of 87.Terence Henry Stampwas born in London, England, on July 23, 2025. As an aspiring actor, he lived withMichael Caine; they were both up for the title role inAlfie, but Caine ultimately landed it, launching his career.
Stamp ended up making his film debut inPeter Ustinov’s adaptation ofHerman Melville’sBilly Budd. Although the film wasn’t well-reviewed, Stamp’s performance in the title role was acclaimed, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He appeared in a number of films emblematic of the “Swinging London” of the 1960s, includingThe Collector,Modesty Blaise, andFar From the Madding Crowd. In the 1970s, he relocated to Italy, starring in a number of local film productions.
Who Is General Zod?
In 1978, Stamp starred inRichard Donner’sSuperman: The Movieas General Zod, a Kryptonian criminal exiled to the Phantom Zone. He only appeared in one scene of that film, but returned with a vengeance in 1980’sSuperman II, battling the Man of Steel with a memorably chilly and imperious performance. Zod became one of the most iconic villains in superhero cinema, resulting in a resurgence for Stamp, starring in Hollywood productions likeWall Street,Young Guns, andAlien Nation. He also starred in the British crime filmThe Hit, his first leading role in over a decade: it partnered him withJohn Hurtand, in his first movie role,Tim Roth.
One of Stamp’s most iconic roles came in sharp contrast to the rest of his filmography: in 1994, he starred as Bernadette Bassenger, an aging trans woman who goes on a road trip with two drag queens across the Australian outback inThe Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The film was a surprise critical and commercial hit, and Stamp’s heartfelt performance was singled out for praise. In 1999,Steven Soderberghcast Stamp in the lead role of the thrillerThe Limey, which served as an homage to Stamp’s early career: footage from his 1967 filmPoor Cowwas used in flashbacks. That year, Stamp also had a supporting role inStar Wars: The Phantom Menace. In recent years, he starred inBig Eyes,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Unusual Children, andMurder Mystery. His final performance was inEdgar Wright’sLast Night in Soho.
Stamp’s death was announced by his family. We send our condolences to Terence Stamp’s friends and family.
