British actor David Warner, known for his roles in films such as Titanic and Tron, has passed away at the age of 80. He died of a cancer-related illness on Sunday, July 24, in Denville Hall, a care home for entertainment industry people.
Warner had a six decade long career and worked in films, TV shows as well as theatre. He was diagnosed with the illness 18 months back. Read on to know more about the actor.
Family Confirms the Actor’s Demise
Warner’s death was confirmed by his family in a statement to BBC. The family said that they were sharing the news ‘with an overwhelmingly heavy heart.’ The statement read, “Over the past 18 months he approached his diagnosis with a characteristic grace and dignity.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Following the news, Gregory Doran, artistic director emeritus of the Royal Shakespeare Company, who had worked with David in theatre, paid tribute to the deceased actor with a statement. He said, “I’m very sad to hear the news that David Warner has died.”
“A tortured student, in his long orange scarf, David seemed the epitome of 1960s youth, and caught the radical spirit of a turbulent age. He was a generous spirit, a kind man, and a huge talent,” he continued.
Warner Started his Career as a Theatre Actor
David Warner was born on 29 July 1941 in Manchester, Lancashire. He often described his childhood as ‘troubled’ and ‘messy’. He had spent most of his childhood with his father and step-mother as his mother had ‘disappeared from his life’. The actor graduated from RADA in 1961.
Warner made his acting debut in theatre with a minor role in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the English Stage Company in January 1962. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963 and went on to play Henry VI in the John Barton adaptation of Henry VI, Parts I, II and III, and also the much acclaimed Hamlet.
After a hiatus of nearly three decades, he returned to the theatre in 2001 to play Andrew Undershaft in a Broadway revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara.
Warner was an Emmy Award Recipient
The actor made his film debut in 1963 as the villain Blifil in Tom Jones. In 1966, he was nominated for the BAFTA award for his lead performance in Karel Reisz’s Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment.
In 1981, he won the Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or special for his portrayal of Pomponius Falco in the television miniseries Masada. Throughout his career, he played both romantic leads and villains in a range of films, including The Omen, Holocaust, The Thirty Nine Steps, Time After Time, Time Bandits, Tron, A Christmas Carol, Portrait in Evil, Titanic, Mary Poppins Returns and Star Trek.
David is survived by his partner Lisa Bowerman, son Luke and daughter-in-law Sarah.
The world will surely remember the actor’s contribution to theatre and films. Stay tuned for more news and updates.
