Actor Ray Stevenson – known for films including King Arthur and Punisher – has died at the age of 58, his representatives have confirmed.
The Northern Irish actor died on Sunday (21 May), though no further details were immediately made available.
He starred in multiple television shows including as soldier Titus Pullo in the BBC/HBO series Rome from 2005-2007, and will be appearing in upcoming Star Wars spin-off Ahsoka.
In 2008, Stevenson landed the lead role in Marvel’s Punisher: War Zone, where he played the titular character and his alias Frank Castle – becoming the third actor to do so onscreen.
He later appeared in other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Asgardian warrior Volstagg, featuring in Thor, Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok.
And more recently, he appeared as the villainous Governor Scott Buxton in the 2022 Oscar-winning Bollywood film RRR.
As well as appearing on screen, Ray was also a successful voice actor, lending his voice to a number of Star Wars characters, and at the 2023 Star Wars celebration in London, it was announced he would appear in the upcoming Ahsoka series.
Following news of his death the Peter Mayhew Foundation, set up by the actor who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars films, tweeted: “We are sad to hear of the passing of Ray Stevenson.
“You may recognise Ray as Baylon Skoll from the upcoming Ahsoka show on Disney+.
“You may also remember his work as the voice of Mandalorian super commando Gar Saxon in The Clone Wars. Our sincerest condolences to his family.”
Fans have taken to social media to pay their respects to the late actor, with one writing: "RIP Ray Stevenson, whose turn as Titus Pullo on ROME is one of the greatest effortlessly charming performances of TV's golden age. A warm guy, by all accounts, and a serious craftsman. He'll be sorely missed."
"RIP Ray Stevenson. My favorite Punisher growing up. The movie in general actually got me more into the character. The movie already had a special place in my heart and it always will" added another.
While composers Sean and Deana Kiner, who also worked on a number of Star Wars titles, wrote: "Gut punch this morning learning Ray Stevenson passed away. His truly haunting performance in Ahsoka has a gravity that stunned us all. A great loss of a veteran artist and the craft is poorer for his absence."
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