Ray Stevenson, whose career spanned 30 years and included roles in
well-known television shows and movie franchises, sadly has passed away at
the age of 58. He is survived by his son Sebastiano Derek.
Italian
news channel Sky TG24 first reportedOpens in new tab Stevenson passed away
unexpectedly on Monday May 22. Additional outlets have since confirmedOpens
in new tab his death on the Italian island Ischia. Sky TG24 said Stevenson
was first rushed to a nearby hospital on Saturday afternoon after getting
seriously ill while filming. He was there shooting director Frank Ciota’s
Cassino a Ischia. While his cause of death is still unknown, the actor’s
condition apparently grew much worse shortly before passing.
Born May 25, 1964 on a British army base in Lisburn, Northern
Ireland to a British pilot father and Irish mother, Stevenson recently
starred as the villain in the global hit RRR. He will also appear on the
live-action Disney+ spinoff Ahsoka later this yearOpens in new tab. The show
will mark his second time through the galaxy far, far way. He previously
voiced Gar Saxon on Star Wars Rebels. He’s also known for playing Volstagg,
one of the MCU’s most famous Asgaradian warriors, in the Thor franchise.
Other notable starring roles include Titus Pullo in the HBO drama Rome and
Frank Castle in Punisher: War Zone.
Over his lengthy-but-far-too-brief career Stevenson also
appeared in famous films and series such as The Book of Eli, The Other Guys,
The Three Musketeers, Dexter, Black Sails, Vikings, and Das Boot. In
addition to Ahsoka, fans will also see him in a leading role in the upcoming
historical drama about Genghis KhanOpens in new tab, Gateway to the West.
The
actor’s official IMDb bio notesOpens in new tab he first dreamed of
performing as a child. However, he didn’t pursue a career on screen until
age 25 when he left his job as an interior director. That worked well for
him and his many fans who now bid him farewell far too soon.
