The entertainment industry mourns the loss of actor Ray Stevenson, known for his notable performances in popular TV shows like Rome, Vikings, and Dexter. Stevenson, aged 58, passed away recently.
He gained recognition for his roles in the Thor films and the Divergent series, along with his contributions to several UK TV shows including Band of Gold, Peak Practice, and Murphy’s Law.
Viewpoint, Stevenson’s US-based publicist firm, confirmed his demise to the BBC; however, no additional details regarding the cause of death have been disclosed. Reports suggest that he was hospitalized during the filming of an action movie on the Italian island of Ischia.
Tragically, Stevenson’s death occurred just four days before his 59th birthday.
Born in Northern Ireland, Stevenson moved to England at the age of eight when his father, who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), was stationed near Lisburn, County Antrim, during that time.
His family settled in Newcastle upon Tyne, where Stevenson spent much of his childhood. The decision to pursue acting was sparked by a transformative experience watching John Malkovich perform in a play at a West End theatre in London. He further honed his craft by studying acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and one of his initial TV roles was in the Catherine Cookson drama The Dwelling Place.
Throughout his career, Stevenson appeared in a diverse range of British TV shows, including Waking the Dead, Dalziel and Pascoe, and At Home with the Braithwaites.
“King Arthur” New York Premiere – After Party IMAGE SOURCE,DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY
In 2004, Stevenson portrayed a knight in the Hollywood blockbuster film King Arthur, featuring Keira Knightley. More recently, he secured prominent roles in successful US-made TV shows and movies, such as Volstagg in the Thor trilogy and Titus Pullo in HBO’s historical drama series Rome. He was set to star as Baylan Skoll in the upcoming Disney+ series Star Wars: Ahsoka.
Stevenson’s co-stars have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late actor. James Purefoy, an English actor who worked alongside Stevenson in Rome, described him as a “brilliant, gutsy, larger-than-life actor who filled every part he played right up to the brim.”
Rosario Dawson, who will appear alongside Stevenson in the Ashoka series, expressed her shock and sorrow on Instagram, calling him a “giant of a man.”
James Gunn, director involved in the production of the second Thor film, shared his joy of working with Stevenson, while Bear McCreary, the composer for the TV series Black Sails, praised Stevenson’s unforgettable portrayal of Blackbeard.
Actor Scott Adkins, Stevenson’s co-star in Accident Man, expressed his shock and sadness, stating, “I will miss you, Big Ray!”
