Screen Legend David Warner Dies

David Warner, Known For ‘Titanic’ ‘Tron’, ‘The Omen’ and More, Dies Aged 80

The seasoned British actor was known for a wide variety of villains, heroes and others in movies such as ‘Time Bandits’, ‘Time After Time’ and ‘Straw Dogs’ has died.

David Warner as John Leslie Stevenson/Jack the Ripper in 1979's 'Time After Time.'

David Warner might have been known for creating memorable movie villains, but the talented, humble British actor proved in a long and varied career that he could do so much more. Warner died this weekend aged 80.

Born in Manchester in 1941, his upbringing was turbulent, torn between different towns and schools as his father moved between jobs. His parents’ separation didn’t help either, and Warner came close to a life of crime.

Yet thanks to a teacher who mentored him and sparked a ion for performance, he scored a place at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Following that, he began a long, fruitful theatre career at the Royal Court in 1962, ri the ranks in Shakespearian productions before he was recruited the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1963.

Film and TV work also beckoned, and Warner made his movie debut in 1963’s ‘Mary Poppins Returns’, in which he plays iral Boom.

A chameleon throughout his career, Warner was equally at home bringing nuance to uptight officials, cackling villains and, in 1976's original ‘The Omen’, a photojournalist whose investigation leads to an iconic encounter with a deadly pane of glass. In 1979’s ‘Malcolm McDowell) who turns out to be Jack the Ripper.

David Warner as Spicer Lovejoy in 1997's 'Titanic.'

For 1982’s ‘Time Bandits’ fans know him as the villain simply called Evil and chewing the scenery with fitting aplomb.

‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’.

He had two screen trips on the ill-fated RMS Titanic, first in 1970 TV movie ‘Billy Zane’s Caledon Hockley.

Warner died Sunday from a cancer-related illness at Denville Hall, a care home for those who have worked in entertainment.

“Over the past 18 months he approached his diagnosis with a characteristic grace and dignity,” his family said in a statement given to the BBC. He will be missed hugely by us, his friends, and ed as a kind-hearted, generous and comionate man, partner and father, whose legacy of extraordinary work has touched the lives of so many over the years. We are heartbroken.”