Ray Stevenson, Actor in ‘Thor’ and ‘Rome,’ Is Dead at 58
Renowned actor Ray Stevenson, celebrated for his versatile performances spanning over three decades in both television and film, including memorable roles such as the loquacious soldier in HBO’s historical drama “Rome,” the infamous pirate Blackbeard in Starz’s “Black Sails,” and the valiant Asgardian warrior Volstagg in the “Thor” fantasy film series, passed away on Sunday at the age of 58.
The sad news was confirmed by his publicist, Nicki Fioravante, although no further details were provided. According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Stevenson’s passing occurred while he was filming a movie on the Italian island of Ischia.
Born on May 25, 1964, in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Ray Stevenson initially pursued a career in interior design before embarking on his acting journey in his mid-20s. Witnessing John Malkovich’s mesmerizing performance in the Lanford Wilson play “Burn This” at London’s West End in the early 1990s ignited Stevenson’s passion for acting.
“I was dumbstruck by John’s performance,” he shared in an interview with The Fresno Bee in 2008. “Everybody else disappeared. I knew at that moment there was something very valid about being an actor.”
Stevenson honed his craft at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England, where he portrayed the titular character in a 1993 production of “Macbeth.” Soon after, he secured a recurring role in the British mini-series “The Dwelling Place,” marking the beginning of a steady stream of work throughout his career.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, Stevenson made appearances in various British TV series, including the crime drama “Band of Gold.” In 2004, he landed his first significant film role as the knight Dagonet in “King Arthur,” alongside Clive Owen in the lead.
However, it was his breakthrough role as Titus Pullo in the epic HBO series “Rome” that propelled Stevenson’s career to new heights. Set in ancient Rome, the show aimed to become the next sensation following “Sex and the City” and “The Sopranos.” Stevenson’s portrayal of the raucous and womanizing Pullo, alongside Kevin McKidd’s character, captivated audiences and showcased his talent. Critics compared his presence to “George Clooney on steroids,” envisioning him as a future star.
Despite the immense potential, “Rome” concluded after two seasons, and Stevenson never quite attained the level of Clooney’s fame. Nevertheless, he secured notable roles in several grand projects, including three Marvel Comics films: “Thor” (2011), “Thor: The Dark World” (2013), and “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017), all of which achieved tremendous box-office success.
Referring to the “Thor” stories as “Vikings in space,” Stevenson delved into a different facet of Viking lore when he joined the cast of the long-running History Channel series “Vikings” in 2020, appearing throughout its sixth season.
Stevenson’s diverse repertoire also included portraying a gangster in the 2011 film “Kill the Irishman” and a British colonial official in the Indian movie “RRR” (2022). Additionally, he took on the role of vigilante Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, based on a comic book character. In 2008’s “Punisher: War Zone,” Stevenson embodied the character’s dark complexity, delivering a performance in an action-packed film that enthralled fans.
In his personal life, Stevenson had been married to actress Ruth Gemmell, but they later divorced. He is survived by his partner, Elisabetta Caraccia,
