Terence Stamp, actor known for 'Superman' villain General Zod, dies at 87: Inside his personal life with 35-year younger Elizabeth O'Rourke

Time of India

3 days ago

Legendary British actor
Terence Stamp
, famously known for his unforgettable role as General Zod in Superman and Superman II, has passed away. His family announced the death of the actor on August 17, with a statement that said, 'He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.
' He was 87.
Born in London in 1938, Stamp rose from humble beginnings to become a style icon and dramatic powerhouse. Stamp's career spanned six decades, earning accolades for work in Billy Budd, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and beyond. However, apart from his decorated acting career, Stamp's personal life, too, attracted significant attention, thanks to his whirlwind romance and a brief marriage to Elizabeth O'Rourke.
An unusual romance and a brief marriage: Elizabeth O'Rourke
Terence Stamp met Elizabeth O'Rourke while visiting a Bondi pharmacy in the mid-1990s. Back then, O'Rourke was an Australian pharmacy student at a chemist shop in Bondi, New South Wales. On New Year's Eve 2002, Stamp married for the first and only time at age 64, to O'Rourke. What drew attention to his marriage in his 60s was the bride's age; O'Rourke was just 29!
Their 35-year age gap drew attention, but the actor's charm and persistence prevailed, and they married in a private ceremony.
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However, the marriage was short-lived and ended only six years later. O'Rourke filed for divorce in April 2008, citing Stamp's 'unreasonable behaviour.' According to reports, Stamp did not contest the claim. In later reflections, Stamp fondly remembered their time together, calling it 'incredible fun.'
The couple had no children, but Stamp often spoke lovingly of his nieces' children, describing his bond with them as akin to that of a grandfather.
Terence Stamp: The life, the career, and the legacy
Born in 1938, in Stepney, East London, Terence Henry Stamp grew up during the Blitz as the eldest of five children to a tugboat stoker father and a homemaker mother. He earned a scholarship to the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, launching his dramatic career on stage. His film debut came in Billy Budd (1962), earning him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer.
Stamp became a cultural figure of the Swinging Sixties, linked romantically with model Jean Shrimpton and actress Julie Christie.
He even inspired The Kinks' hit 'Waterloo Sunset' for his brief relationship with Christie.
After a slower period in the 1970s, Stamp's career rebounded in a spiritual way. He spent time in India embracing yoga philosophy, an internal transformation that helped him reimagine himself as a character actor willing to take bold roles.
General Zod and beyond: Crafting iconic villains with nuance
Stamp will forever be remembered for bringing depth, charisma, and menace to General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980).
This portrayal reshaped how villains were depicted in superhero films.
Stamp wasn't just an action star. Beyond Zod, the 'master of the brooding silence' demonstrated his emotional range as Bernadette Bassenger, a trans woman, in the cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994). The role earned him BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.
His filmography spans decades and genres. His later career included acclaimed performances in films like The Limey (1999), earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and memorable roles in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Valkyrie, Last Night in Soho, and more.