Ray Stevenson, known for his roles as the malevolent British governor in “RRR,” an Asgardian warrior in the “Thor” movies, and a member of the 13th Legion in HBO’s “Rome,” has passed away at the age of 58.
On Monday, representatives for Stevenson informed The Associated Press that he had passed away on Sunday; however, they did not have any additional information to disclose at that time.
Born in 1964 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Stevenson began his journey in the entertainment industry after studying at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He initially established himself in British television before venturing into the world of films. In 1998, he made his film debut in Paul Greengrass’s “The Theory of Flight.” Stevenson further showcased his talent by portraying a knight of the round table in Antoine Fuqua’s 2004 film “King Arthur.” Later on, he took on the lead role in the pre-Disney Marvel adaptation “Punisher: War Zone.”
Despite receiving mixed reviews, Stevenson had another opportunity to delve into the Marvel universe by portraying Volstagg in the first three “Thor” films. He also took on significant roles in other notable films such as the “Divergent” trilogy, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” and “The Transporter: Refueled.”
Standing tall at 6-foot-4, Stevenson possessed a commanding presence and often portrayed soldiers from various eras. In an interview, he expressed, “I suppose deep down, I have the spirit of an ancient warrior.”
In the realm of television, Stevenson gained significant momentum in his career by portraying the charismatic Titus Pullo in the series “Rome.” This role not only propelled his success in the United States but also granted him a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card at the age of 44. The acclaimed series, which aired from 2005 to 2007, garnered considerable popularity.
In an interview, Stevenson reflected on the significance of that period in his life, stating, “It was a pivotal year for me. It made me truly comfortable with myself and made me realize that focusing on doing the job was sufficient; it was all that mattered.”
In a review of “Rome” by Brian Lowery in Variety, it was noted that Stevenson’s presence was striking, portraying a robust, promiscuous, and not overly intelligent warrior. Despite his wild tendencies, he managed to navigate through life’s challenges and consistently come out on top.
Stevenson took on notable roles in various television series, including portraying Blackbeard in the Starz series “Black Sails,” Commander Jack Swinburne in the German TV series “Das Boot,” and Othere in the series “Vikings.”
In addition to his on-screen performances, Stevenson contributed his voice talent to animated series such as “Star Wars Rebels” and “The Clone Wars,” where he voiced the character Gar Saxon. He also secured a role in the upcoming live-action Star Wars series “Ahsoka,” portraying the antagonist Baylan Skoll. This highly anticipated eight-episode season is set to premiere on Disney+ in August.
During a 2020 interview with Backstage, Stevenson revealed that his acting inspirations and idols included legendary performers such as Lee Marvin and Gene Hackman.
Expressing his admiration, Stevenson commented that both Lee Marvin and Gene Hackman consistently delivered exceptional performances, demonstrating bravery and fearlessness in their acting choices. He emphasized that he found their portrayals relatable as they were not focused on being the young, attractive leading men, but rather portrayed characters with whom he could personally identify.
Stevenson and Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia, whom he encountered during his work on “Rome,” share the joy of raising three sons together.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
