Terence Stamp, best known to Superman fans as General Zod, has died at the age of 87.
His family confirmed he passed away Sunday morning.
“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,” they said, according to Reuters. “We ask for privacy at this sad time.”
Early Career and Breakthrough
Born July 22, 1938, in Stepney, London, Stamp studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art before moving into stage work. His film debut came in Peter Ustinov’s Billy Budd (1962), which earned him a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He followed with acclaimed performances in The Collector (1965), which won him Best Actor at Cannes, and Far from the Madding Crowd (1967).
Superman and Zod
Stamp became a household name for his role as General Zod in Richard Donner’s Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II (1980). His portrayal of the Kryptonian villain brought menace and gravitas to the franchise and remains one of the most memorable parts of the Christopher Reeve films. Years later, he returned to the Superman mythos by voicing Jor-El, Superman’s father, in Smallville from 2003 to 2011.
Career Highlights
Stamp worked across genres and decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, he appeared in Wall Street, Young Guns, and The Real McCoy. His role in Steven Soderbergh’s The Limey (1999) earned critical acclaim, while the same year he played Chancellor Valorum in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Another standout was his performance as Bernadette in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), which earned Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations and remains a landmark LGBTQ film.
Other credits include The Haunted Mansion (2003), Valkyrie (2008), The Adjustment Bureau (2011), Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), and Last Night in Soho (2021).
Personal Life and Legacy
Known for his striking looks and intense screen presence, Stamp was part of the 1960s “swinging London” era, romantically linked with Julie Christie, Brigitte Bardot, and Jean Shrimpton. He also spent much of the 1970s in India, seeking spiritual growth. Beyond acting, he published several memoirs and even co-authored a cookbook.
Tributes poured in following the announcement of his death. Priscilla co-star Guy Pearce wrote on social media, “Farewell dear Tel. You were a true inspiration, both in & out of heels.”
Terence Stamp’s six-decade career spanned stage, film, and television, and his work — particularly in Superman — secures his legacy as one of cinema’s most memorable actors.
