British actor Terence Stamp, remembered as the villainous General Zod in the original ‘Superman’ films or the unforgettable Bernadette in ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,’ has died at the age of 87, his family announced Sunday.
The artist leaves behind “an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to move and inspire people for years to come,” said those close to him in a statement.
Terence Stamp dies
We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Terence Stamp, aged 87. Well known for playing General Zod in the Superman films, Stamp was nominated for two BAFTAs in 1963 and 1995 for his work in Billy Budd and The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert. pic.twitter.com/ALZaFfF4Ua
– BAFTA (@BAFTA) August 17, 2025
“We request privacy at this sad time,” added the family, which confirmed that Stamp passed away this Sunday morning.
The actor, born in East London in 1938, worked in various jobs in the British capital until he won a scholarship to study at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, from where he made the leap to the country’s theatrical stages with another acting giant, Michael Caine.
His first big screen role came with the film ‘Billy Budd’ (1962), which earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor and launched him to international fame.
From that moment on, she participated in numerous classics of the 1960s, such as ‘Scandal in the Classroom’ (alongside Laurence Olivier), ‘The Collector’, ‘Modesty Blaise, Female Super Agent’ and ‘Poor Cow’, the first feature film by English director Ken Loach.
Buzzy
Stamp even figured among the contenders to replace Sean Connery in the James Bond franchise.
But his ideas for the character “terrified” producer Harry Saltzman, as the actor himself confessed years later.
The artist, according to some critics, went through a slump with minor films in the early 1970s.
But his career took off again with his role as General Zod in ‘Superman’ (1978), directed by Richard Donner, and with the sequel ‘Superman II’ (1980).
In 1991, Spanish director Pilar Miró chose him to play Darman in her film ‘Beltenebros’, based on a novel by writer Antonio Muñoz Molina.
And three years later, Stamp acquired cult status by starring in the musical ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ alongside Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Bill Hunter, where she played the trans drag queen Bernadette.
We request privacy at this sad time
Family of Terence Stamp
