British star of the stage and screen, David Warner, has sadly died, aged 80.
In a statement given to the BBC, Warner’s family said:
“He will be missed hugely by us, his family and friends, and remembered as a kind-hearted, generous and compassionate man, partner and father, whose legacy of extraordinary work has touched the lives of so many over the years. We are heartbroken.”
The RADA-trained actor started his career in theatre, making his professional debut as Snout in the Royal Court Theatre’s 1962 production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He eventually joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in April 1963 to play Trinculo in The Tempest.
Warner made his film debut as the villain in 1963’s Best Picture-winner, Tom Jones, but it would be Karel Reisz’s 1966 film, Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment, where he gained prominence as an on-screen leading actor. A role which garnered him BAFTA-nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Throughout his career, Warner appeared in many films and series, notably as Sark in Tron and the sly Spicer Lovejoy in James Cameron’s Titanic. He also appeared in The Omen (1976), Scream 2, Planet of the Apes (2001), and most recently, Mary Poppins Returns as Admiral Boom, taking over the role from the late Reginald Owen.
In 1978, he was nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in Holocaust. He would win an Emmy three years later for his supporting role in the limited series Masada.
Warner was a regular in the Star Trek franchise having appeared as three different characters across two films and two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also voiced characters in Batman: The Animated Series, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, and played Grand General Brashin in Star Wars: Force Commander.
Warner was diagnosed with cancer eighteen months before his death on 24th July, five days before his 81st birthday. Reflecting on his diagnosis, his family said in their statement: “Over the past 18 months, he approached his diagnosis with a characteristic grace and dignity.”
The DisInsider team sends their condolences to Mr Warner’s friends and family during this difficult time.
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