David Warner, ‘Titanic’ and ‘The Omen’ actor, dies at 80

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.

Matt Warner, star of “Titanic” and “Omen”.
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David Warner during the Star Trek conference in 2011.
Warner during the Star Trek conference in 2011.
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David Warner as Spicer Lovejoy "Titanic."
Warner as Spicer Lovejoy in Titanic.
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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.”

David Warner, shown here with Susan St. James, also starred in 1979 "SOS Titanic."
Warner, who appears here with Susan St. James, also starred in the 1979 movie “SOS Titanic.”
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David Warner and Gregory Peck in "omen."
Warner and Gregory Peck in The Omen.
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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”.

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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.

David Warner at the premiere of the movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of Buoyancy" in 1991.
Warner at the 1991 premiere of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze.”
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David Warner as King Henry VI in theatrical play "Wars of the roses" in 1964.
Warner as King Henry VI in Wars of the Roses, 1964.
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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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