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David Warner in The Omen
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British actor David Warner died from a cancer-related illness on Sunday, at the age of 80, it has been announced.
In a statement to the BBC, the family of the star whose films including The Omen and Titanic, said: “Over the past 18 months he approached his diagnosis with a characteristic grace and dignity … 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.”
Stars from across the industry also paid tribute to the Manchester-born actor, who also forged a career on the stage and television. RADA trained Warner was part of the Royal Shakespeare Company in his younger years, before expanding his CV into the big and small screens.
He starred as a society photographer who spots something sinister about the young child Damien in The Omen, but was often cast in bad guy roles, including Time Bandits and Tron. Recent film roles included Admiral Boom in Mary Poppins Returns.
On the small screen, he won an Emmy for miniseries Masada and had a number of notable recurring roles, including in Wallander, Penny Dreadful, Doctor Who and the original Twin Peaks.
Among those paying tribute to him, was director Edgar Wright, who tweeted: "Very sad to hear of David Warner's passing, an actor with a huge legacy on stage & screen."
Writer Mark Gatiss - who worked with him on The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse - also tweeted: "I grew up in awe of David Warner as a stalwart of so many of my favourite movies. To work extensively with him and to call him my friend was a gift beyond words. Goodnight, sweet Prince."
His family noted, he is survived by "his beloved partner Lisa Bowerman, his much-loved son Luke and daughter-in-law Sarah, his good friend Jane Spencer Prior, his first wife Harriet Evans and his many gold dust friends".
