Superman star Terence Stamp dies at the age of 87

If you are familiar with Stamp's body of work, you'd know he's famously known for playing some of the most memorable villains in cinema, namely, General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). Stamp was one of the most celebrated actors of the industry, having played a variety of roles during his career that spanned decades.

As Reuters has reported, Terence Stamp died on August 17, 2025, at the age of 87. No official cause of death has been mentioned by the late actor's family, and his family members have issued a statement to Reuters, stating,

"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."

Terence Stamp's legacy

Terence Stamp was born on July 22, 1938, in London, to parents Ethel Esther and Thomas Stamp, and was the eldest of five children. Acting wasn't Stamp's first profession. The late actor first worked at many advertising agencies and made quite a career out of it.

Stamp's first steps in the world of acting began when he won a scholarship to train at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He then performed in various theater plays and ultimately landed in first film role in Billy Budd (1962) for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male. Stamp then went on to star in multiple films and became one of the most successful actors, who has won multiple accolades.

Some of Terence Stamp's most notable roles include Freddie Clegg in The Collector (1965), for which he won Best Actor Award at Cannes Film Festival, Sir Larry Wildman in Wall Street (1987), Abraham Portman in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006).

He also played Bernadette Bassenger in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), Wilson in The Limey (1999), and Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999).

Stamp is also known for playing Arthur in Song for Marion, for which he won the Best Actor Award at the Beijing International Film Festival. Other notable roles of Stamp include Jor-El in Smallville (2003-2011), Abraham Portman in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), and Willie Parker in The Hit (1984).

'The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert' Hollywood Premiere - Source: Getty

Terence Stamp almost played the iconic character James Bond. After Sean Connery's last appearance as James Bond in Never Say Never Again (1983), Harry Saltzman had considered Stamp as James Bond briefly, but ultimately did not choose him. Timothy Dalton became the next James Bond when he starred as the character in The Living Daylights (1987). But Stamp told Belfast Telegraph why he was ultimately chosen as 007 by Saltzman, saying,