David Warner, a British actor best known for his roles in Titanic and The Omen, died on Sunday of a “cancer-related illness”. He was 80 years old.
The cinema veteran’s family confirmed his death “with an extremely heavy heart” in a statement to the BBC.
“Over the past 18 months, he approached his diagnosis with characteristic grace and dignity,” they wrote. “He will be greatly missed by us, his family and friends and will be remembered as a kind-hearted, generous and compassionate man, partner and father whose legacy of outstanding work touched the lives of so many people over the years.” We are heartbroken.”
At the time of his death, Warner was living at Denville Hall in Northwood, UK, a care home for entertainment industry figures.
Warner, the star of “Titanic” and “The Fate,” has died. Photo of Popper via Getty Images Warner at the 2011 Star Trek Convention Getty Images Warner as Spicer Lovejoy in Titanic. CBS via Getty Images
Born in Manchester in 1941, the playwright is perhaps best known for his role in James Cameron’s 1997 romantic epic Titanic, in which he played Spicer Lovejoy, the villain of Billy Zane’s Pittsburgh steel magnate Cal Hockley.
He is also known for appearing in the 1976 horror classic The Omen as photographer Keith Jennings, whose head is severed from glass.
Warner addressed the iconic scene in the 2010 BBC program Horror Story. Host Mark Gatiss had asked Warner what happened to his severed head, then, without missing a beat, he joked: “I lost her in the divorce.”
Warner, seen here with Susan St. James, also starred in 1979’s “SOS Titanic.” FilmPublicityArchive/United Arch Warner and Gregory Peck in “The Omen.” FilmPublicityArchive/United Arch
Warner, who was primarily cast as villains, also appeared in Tron (1982), Little Malcolm (1974), Time Bandits (1981), The French Lieutenant’s Wife (1981), The Man With Two Brains” (1983) and the 1964 Best Picture winner “Tom Jones”. In his last credited role, the actor starred in the 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns.
Not only a force on the big screen, the Brit boasts numerous TV roles, including “Penny Dreadful,” “Ripper Street,” “Star Trek,” “Doctor Who,” the original “Twin Peaks” and “Masada” (1981), for which won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Special.
Warner at the premiere of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze’ in 1991. Getty Images Warner as King Henry VI in the play ‘The Wars of the Roses’ in 1964. Getty Images
The Warner-trained Royal Academician of Drama also enjoyed a glittering stage career, winning widespread acclaim for his leading roles in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Henry VI and Hamlet early in his career.
Warner is survived by his partner Lisa Bowerman, son Luke and daughter-in-law Sarah, his good friend Jane Spencer Prior, his first wife Harriet Evans and many other friends.
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