Actor David Warner played one of the key roles in the horror classic “The Omen” and has been celebrated as a villain across genres – whether in the sci-fi universe of “Tron” or in the super hit drama “Titanic”. The Briton dies at the age of 80.
He was a character actor who also shone in smaller roles: British actor David Warner died in London on July 24 at the age of 80. It was with a heavy heart that his family confirmed to the BBC: “We, his family and friends, will miss him dearly and will remember him as a kind, generous and compassionate man, partner and father.” Warner suffered from cancer, but always took his diagnosis with composure, his family explained in the statement.
Born in Manchester in 1941, he began his career in theater and acted in classical Shakespearean plays. He made his screen debut in the early 1960s. He was best known to a large audience for his role as Spicer Lovejoy, Caledon Hockley’s (Billy Zane) sidekick, in James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic. In the course of his long career, he repeatedly acted in films that dealt with the well-known sunken ship, such as “S.O.S Titanic” (1979) or “Time Bandits” by Monty Python co-founder Terry Gilliam (1981).
Again and again the Brit slipped into the role of villains. Many will also remember Warner as photographer Keith Jennings from “The Omen” (1976) or as Dillinger in the sci-fi classic “Tron” (1982). He also embodied various characters in the “Star Trek” franchise. Warner was last seen opposite Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns (2018).
Warner was married to Harriet Lidgren from 1969 to 1972. In 1981 he re-wedded Sheilah Kent. Warner is survived by a son born in this relationship in 1982.
