Terence Stamp, ‘Superman’ Villain and Acclaimed Actor, Dies at 87

• Aug 17, 2025

British actor Terence Stamp, best known for playing the villainous General Zod in the Superman films, has died at the age of 87.

His family confirmed the news on Sunday, telling Reuters in a statement that Stamp passed away that morning. They did not disclose the cause of death but described his work as something that “will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.” A death notice was also published online.

Stamp was born in London’s East End in 1938 to Ethel Esther and Thomas Stamp, a tugboat stoker. He grew up during the bombing of London in World War II and later worked in advertising before winning a scholarship to drama school. Looking back on those years, Stamp once said he kept his acting dreams private, fearing he would have been laughed at for pursuing them.

His film career began in 1962 with the seafaring drama Billy Budd, a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination. Over the next six decades, Stamp built an acclaimed career, appearing in films such as Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Theorem, A Season in Hell, and the 1994 cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, where he played a transgender woman. He later recalled the physical challenges of the role, explaining that wearing high heels had thrown his spine out of alignment for months.

In 1999, Stamp delivered another standout performance in Steven Soderbergh’s crime drama The Limey, a role that won him widespread praise. Still, his most recognizable part was General Zod in Richard Donner’s Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). He later returned to the Superman universe as the voice of Jor-El in the TV series Smallville.

Beyond his iconic villain role, Stamp’s career included appearances in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie alongside Tom Cruise, The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon, and several collaborations with director Tim Burton. His final performance was in Edgar Wright’s 2021 film Last Night in Soho.

Alongside his acting, Stamp was also an accomplished writer and author, leaving behind not just a celebrated screen legacy but also a body of published work. His death marks the loss of one of Britain’s most versatile and enduring screen talents.