Thor and Star Wars actor dies suddenly just days before birthday
Actor Ray Stevenson, best known for his work in the Marvel and Star Wars universes, has passed away at 58, just four days shy of his 59th birthday.
No cause of death has been made public, but the news was confirmed to Variety through one of the late actor’s representatives, and Italian publication La Repubblica reported that he had been hospitalised shortly before he passed away.
Stevenson was in Italy working on his upcoming action movie, Cassino in Ischia, at the time of his death.
The Irish-born actor will be remembered by loved ones - those who knew him in real life and those who knew him through his wide range of film, TV, and theatre projects - and by the entertainment industry at large.
Born in Northern Ireland in 1864, Steven moved to England with his family at the age of eight, and discovered his calling as an actor after witnessing John Malkovich in a West End theatre production.
Stevenson went on to study acting, landing one of his first roles in television in The Dwelling Place, before establishing his place on the screen in a number of other British series, from the likes of Waking the Dead to Dalziel and Pascoe, and At Home with the Braithwaites.
His career in Hollywood found its feet with his role in the 2004 King Arthur movie, where he took on the role of one of the Knights of the Round Table.
And just four years later, Stevenson made a name for himself in the fan-favourite Marvel universe, playing the titular character Frank Castle in Punisher: War Zone. He was the third actor to ever portray Punisher on screen.
Stevenson went on to appear in the likes of The Book of Eli, The Three Musketeers, and the Divergent series, before making his return to Marvel with Thor, where he played one of the god’s Warriors Three up until Thor: Ragnarok.
He wasn’t to stop at Marvel, however, with the actor taking on the challenge - and opportunity - of voicing a character in the hit animated Star Wars TV series Clone Wars and Rebels as Mandalorian Gar Saxon.
He was set to make his return to that same expanded universe, but this time with his own face at the forefront as a Jedi known as Baylan Skoll, in the upcoming live action Ahsoka series.
His co-stars in that series were devastated to hear of his loss, with the show’s lead and Ahsoka’s actress - Rosario Dawson - posting a touching tribute to social media, alongside a series of pics with the late star.
“A giant of a man… stunned and reeling from this tragic, devastating news. Gone too soon from this world,” she wrote. “At a loss for words… just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever ready and present smile. Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart.”
“Cherishing this time we got to spend together this past year,” fellow Ahsoka actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo wrote, sharing Dawson’s post, “your giant heart, belly laughs and spirited zest for life will be sorely missed.”
“RIP Ray Stevenson, whose turn as Titus Pullo on ROME is one of the greatest effortlessly charming performances of TV's golden age,” one fan shared. “A warm guy, by all accounts, and a serious craftsman. He'll be sorely missed.”
“I’m shocked and saddened by the tragic news that a great actor and my good friend Ray Stevenson has passed away. I will miss you Big Ray!” wrote Scott Atkins, who starred in Accident Man with Stevenson. “Life is short so make the most of it people.”
As Stevenson’s former Rome co-star James Purefoy said, “so sad to hear the news that Ray Stevenson, our Pullo in Rome, has passed away. A brilliant, gutsy, larger-than-life actor who filled every part he played right up to the brim.
“My thoughts are with his family, his lovely wife Betta and their beautiful kids. What a loss.”
“Ray… My heart is shattered and I can’t fathom you not being here. My dear friend. My Master. A giant with an even bigger heart,” a heartbroken Ivanna Sakhno, another Ahsoka star, said in her tribute. “You understood the infinite. Your love for life, your partner Elisabetta and your 3 boys was unyielding. Knowing you in this lifetime had been one of the greatest gifts.
“I carry your light within me. Fly freely, Blackbird.”
Images: Getty