Terence Stamp tribute confirmed

Tributes pour in for Terence Stamp, the British actor known for General Zod, who has died at 87.

Terence Stamp leaves a lasting film legacy as Zod

LONDON AP — Terence Stamp, the British actor famed for playing General Zod in the 1978 Superman and its 1980 sequel, has died at the age of 87. The news was announced in a death notice online, drawing tributes from peers and fans, including BAFTA. Stamp built a six decade career on stage and screen, earning early Oscar and BAFTA nominations for Billy Budd and later shining in the comedy Priscilla Queen of the Desert as Bernadette.

Stamp rose from London's theatre scene to become part of the cool edge of 1960s British cinema. He worked with stars like Laurence Olivier and helped redefine villainy in popular culture by giving Zod a dark charm and vulnerability that echoed in many later superheroes. His career also included a turn in Star Wars The Phantom Menace as Finis Valorum, and a late career stretch that culminated in Last Night in Soho. Born in the East End, Stamp lived a colorful life and kept a high standard in his work, famously cautioning that he would not take on poor projects unless he needed the rent.

Stamp was more than a likeness in a cape. He helped shift the way audiences read villains, layering menace with humanity. That balance is a through line in many modern blockbusters, where a villain can feel both threatening and relatable. His path from the angry young men of the 1960s to a later era of genre bending shows how British cinema has navigated realism and fantasy without losing character. The actor’s refusal to chase every project also highlights a stubborn, sometimes costly discipline in an industry that rewards speed over depth. Reading his choices offers a lens on how actors age within the system and how a single memorable role can outlive decades of work.

Highlights

Stamp’s filmography remains a map of how to command a scene without losing humanity.