Actor Terence Stamp, Superman’s General Zod, dies at 87

British actor Terence Stamp, famed for playing General Zod in Superman films, has died aged 87, his family confirmed.

Terence Stamp, the acclaimed British actor best known for playing General Zod in the classic Superman films, has died aged 87, his family confirmed on Sunday.

Born in London’s East End in 1938, Stamp rose to fame during the swinging 1960s, admired for his striking looks and elegant style. He became one of Britain’s most glamorous leading men, starring alongside Julie Christie in Far From the Madding Crowd (1967) and dating supermodel Jean Shrimpton.

Stamp’s early career included acclaimed performances in Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Theorem (1968) and A Season in Hell (1971). Though once considered for the role of James Bond, he instead made his mark internationally, working with directors such as Federico Fellini and appearing in Italian cinema during the late 1960s.

After a brief retreat from the spotlight to study yoga in India, Stamp returned to Hollywood in one of his most iconic roles – General Zod, the menacing Kryptonian villain in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). His chilling portrayal made him one of the most memorable comic book villains on screen.

Over the following decades, he appeared in diverse projects, including the cult hit The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), where he played a transgender woman, and major films such as Valkyrie (2008) with Tom Cruise and The Adjustment Bureau (2011) alongside Matt Damon.

In a statement, Stamp’s family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to inspire.”