British actor David Warner, who starred in Star Trek and Tron among many other projects, has died, aged 80.
The BBC reports that Warner died of a “cancer-related illness.” His family shared the news “with an overwhelmingly heavy heart.”
“Over the past 18 months he approached his diagnosis with a characteristic grace and dignity,” said an official statement. “He will be missed hugely by us, his family and friends, and remembered as a kind-hearted, generous, and compassionate man, partner, and father, whose legacy of extraordinary work has touched the lives of so many over the years. We are heartbroken.”
Warner began his career on the stage in 1962, making his debut as Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Court Theatre. However, he went on to a long and celebrated career in film and television – appearing on Doctor Who and landing several Star Trek roles.
These included St. John Talbot in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Chancellor Gorkon in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Warner’s career spanned decades, appearing in numerous popular sci-fi properties – notably as the characters Sark, Dillinger, and the Master Control Program in the cult Disney sci-fi flick, Tron.
According to The Guardian, Warner developed stage fright after a disastrous stage production of I, Claudius in 1973, and began to focus on his film work even more. He soon racked up an impressive filmography, often playing villains. These included performances in Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits, and several collaborations with Sam Peckinpah such as The Ballad of Cable Hogue, Straw Dogs, and Cross of Iron.
Throughout his career, Warner has worked with some of the biggest filmmakers in the business, landing a role in James Cameron’s Titanic, as well as the David Lynch classic, Twin Peaks. He even starred as photographer Keith Jennings in the horror classic, The Omen.
The Rada-trained actor eventually returned to Stratford in 2007 for the first time in more than 40 years to play Sir John Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2 at the Courtyard Theatre.
Already, tributes to the British actor have begun pouring in, with fans and filmmakers alike paying their respects to the beloved actor.
Very sad to hear of David Warner's passing, an actor with a huge legacy on stage & screen and unforgettable roles in; Morgan: A Suitable Case For Treatment, Straw Dogs, From Beyond The Grave, The Omen, Time After Time, Time Bandits, Tron, Titanic and much more. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/sBh4VVvEfH
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) July 25, 2022
“David Warner. Immaculate and singular in every part he played,” said Reece Shearsmith via Twitter. “Such fun working together, (always patient with me when I discussed his head coming off in “The Omen”). An honor to have worked with him and got to see him at his absolute funniest. A sad day.”
IGN sends its condolences to Warner's family and friends.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.