Actor David Warner, star of countless features in the science-fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, has passed away at the age of 80. Warner died on Sunday, July 24, 2022, due to a cancer-related illness. He spent his final days at Denville Hall, a care home for those who work in the entertainment industry.
Warner often found himself cast in villainous roles, bringing his firm foreboding tone to each new character he portrayed. He was featured in over 90 films and almost seventy television series during his lengthy career, which began in 1962 when he made his screen acting debut in We Joined The Navy. Warner’s final on-screen appearance was that of Admiral Boom in Disney’s well-received Mary Poppins (1965) sequel, Mary Poppins Returns (2018). The actor’s final role was a brief guest appearance on Teen Titans GO! in 2020. He reprised the fan-favorite character The Lobe from the hit 1990s animated series Freakazoid.
Some highlights from his impressively lengthy film career include Tron (1982), Titanic (1997), In The Mouth Of Madness (1994), Time Bandits (1981), Waxwork (1988), The Omen (1976), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze (1992), Straw Dogs (1971), The Island (1980), and The Company of Wolves (1984).
In addition to his film work, Warner would often appear in guest roles on television series throughout his career in the industry. Notable appearances include Twin Peaks (1990), Penny Dreadful (2014), Men in Black: The Series (1997), Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994), Gargoyles (1994), Babylon 5 (1993), Tales From The Crypt (1992), Batman: The Animated Series (1993) and even Lois And Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman (1993) where he played the iconic role of Superman’s father Jor-El.
Warner also spent time in multiple roles for both the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises over the years, leaving his mark on both series in his own way.
David Warner’s family shared the news “with an overwhelmingly heavy heart” in a statement to the BBC, saying:
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.
David Warner 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”
A true talent and an icon of the film industry, he will be missed.
