Omen star David Warner dies aged 80
SCREEN veteran David Warner, who starred in The Omen and Titanic, has died aged 80.
Warner, who died on Sunday from a cancer-related illness, appeared in dozens of film and TV roles, often as a villain.
He was best known for playing valet Spicer Lovejoy in the 1 7 blockbuster Titanic and as photographer Keith Jennings in 1 76 horror movie The Omen.
In 1 84 he starred as a private detective in the ITV series Charlie. A statement from his 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.’
Sherlock creator Mark Gatiss was among those who paid tribute, writing: ‘I grew up in awe of David Warner as a stalwart of so many of my favourite movies.’ Filmmaker Edgar Wright said Warner left ‘a huge legacy on stage and screen’.
The Royal Shakespeare Company said it was ‘saddened’ while Inside No. writer Reece Shearsmith described Warner as ‘immaculate and singular in every part he played’.
Twice-married Warner was born in Manchester in July 1 41.
He studied at Rada before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. His first major film role, in
Morgan: A Suitable Case For Treatment, alongside Vanessa Redgrave in 1 66, earned him a Bafta best actor nomination.
He suffered chronic stage fright as a result of his psoriasis and prioritised TV and film work. In 2001, he returned to the stage after nearly 30 years, in a Broadway revival of Major Barbara.
In 2018 he played Admiral Boom in the film Mary Poppins Returns. He died at Denville Hall, a care home for actors in Northwood, north-west London.