Remembering Ray Stevenson; Thor, RRR and Black Sails actor has died aged 58

Northern Irish actor Ray Stevenson, known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars universe, has passed away aged 58 while in Italy, representatives for the actor have announced. Stevenson was on the island of Ischia to film his parts in the latest Frank Ciota movie, Cassino in Ischia, when he was rushed to hospital on Sunday for what has been described as a short illness. He is survived by his longtime partner, Italian anthropologist Elisabetha Caraccia and his children.

Stevenson, born on May 25, 1964, in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, started his life treading the boards at Bristol’s hallowed The Old Vic, before transitioning from the stage to the screen, earning his first movie role in 1998’s The Theory of Flight, opposite Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham Carter and Antonie Fuqua’s 2004 film King Arthur, exposing him to American audiences further.

He would take on the lead role of Frank Castle, known to comic books fans everywhere as The Punisher, in the 2008 film The Punisher: War Zone, taking over the role previously played by Thomas Jane and Dolph Lundgren years earlier. But it would be another Marvel movie where Stevenson would become more of a household name, taking on the role of Volstagg in the first three Thor movies; this made Stevenson one of a handful of actors to be involved in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its predecessor, Marvel Films. 

Stevenson then moved from one Disney franchise to another, becoming a member of the Star Wars universe with his voice acting role as Gar Saxon in Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He is set also to feature in the upcoming Disney+ TV series Ahsoka, portraying Baylan Skoll; a former Jedi who survived Order 66 by fleeing into the Unknown Regions

Stevenson’s popularity extended over to India also, playing a key role in the film RRR, the epic action drama film directed by S. S. Rajamouli which earned the Academy Award this year for Best Original Song (“Naatu Naatu” by M. M. Keeravani.)

Tributes from Hollywood to Bollywood pour in for Ray Stevenson

Tributes have been bountiful for Ray Stevenson, with both Marvel and Star Wars’ official Twitter accounts paying homage to the actor. His co-star in RRR, Ram Charan, also paid tribute to the actor, writing “shocking and deeply saddened with news of Ray Stevenson passing away. Rest In Peace Dear Scott, you'll be remembered forever.”

Scott is a reference to his character in the film, Governor Scott Buxton, one of the antagonists of the feature film.