David Warner, the British actor best known for his roles in the films “Titanic” and “The Omen,” died Sunday of a “cancer-related illness.” He was 80 years old.
The family of the veteran playwright confirmed his death with a “very sad heart” in a statement BBC.
“Over the past eighteen months, he has approached his diagnosis with distinct grace and dignity,” they wrote. “He will be greatly missed by us, his family and friends, and remembered as a kind-hearted, generous, compassionate man, partner and father whose legacy of exceptional work has touched the lives of so many over the years. We are heartbroken.”
At the time of his death, Warner was residing at Denville Hall in Northwood, United Kingdom, the home of figures in the entertainment industry.
Born in Manchester in 1941, the theatrical artist is perhaps best known for his role in James Cameron’s 1997 romance epic “Titanic,” in which he portrayed Spicer Lovejoy, the evil man of corrupt Pittsburgh businessman Billy Zane Cal Hockley.
He is also best known for appearing in the classic horror film The Omen in 1976 as photographer Keith Jennings, Who cuts his head off with a pane of glass.
Warner addressed the iconic scene on the 2010 BBC program History of Horror. Host Mark Gates had asked Warner what happened to his severed head, at which point, without missing a beat, he quipped, “I lost it in the divorce.”
Warner, who mainly played in villainous roles, appeared in “Tron” (1982), “Little Malcolm” (1974), “Time Bandits” (1981), “French Lieutenant” (1981), “The Man with Two Brains” (1983), and 1964 Best Picture winner “Tom Jones.” In his last role, the actor starred in the 2018 sequel “Mary Poppins Returns”.
Not only was the Brit a force on the big screen, the Brit has boasted a variety of TV roles, including “Penny Dreadful”, “Ripper Street”, “Star Trek”, “Doctor Who”, the original “Twin Peaks” and “Masada” ( 1981), which he won Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Special.
Trained in theatrical art, Warner also enjoyed a illustrious career, being widely acclaimed for his roles in title roles in “Henry VI” and “Hamlet” in the Royal Shakespeare Company early in his career.
Warner is survived by partner Lisa Bowerman, son Luke and daughter-in-law Sarah, good girlfriend Jane Spencer Pryor, first wife Harriet Evans and several other friends.
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