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Ray Stevenson

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This article is about the actor. For the Canadian political activist, seeRay Stevenson (political activist).

Ray Stevenson
Stevenson in 2014
Born
George Raymond Stevenson

(1964-05-25)25 May 1964
Lisburn,Northern Ireland
Died21 May 2023(2023-05-21)(aged 58)
Ischia,Campania, Italy
EducationBristol Old Vic Theatre School
OccupationActor
Years active1993–2023
Spouse
​
​
(m.1997;div.2005)​
PartnerElisabetta Caraccia
Children3

George Raymond Stevenson(25 May 1964 – 21 May 2023) was a Northern Irish actor. He portrayedDagonetin the filmKing Arthur(2004) andTitus Pulloin theBBC/HBOtelevision seriesRome(2005–2007). He portrayed twoMarvel Comicscharacters:Frank Castle / The PunisherinPunisher: War Zone(2008) andThe Super Hero Squad ShowandVolstaggin theMarvel Cinematic Universe(2011–2017). His other films includeKill the Irishman(2011), where he portrayed mobsterDanny Greene;The Three Musketeers(2011); andRRR(2022), where he portrayed the villainous Governor Scott. His television roles include Ukrainian mobsterIsaak Sirkoin the seventh season ofDexter,Blackbeardin the third and fourth seasons ofBlack Sails,voicing Gar Saxon inStar Wars RebelsandStar Wars: The Clone Wars,and portrayingBaylan SkollinAhsoka.

Stevenson was married to English actressRuth Gemmellfor eight years and had 3 sons with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia. Stevenson died on 21 May 2023. No cause of death has been revealed.

Early life[edit]

George Raymond Stevenson was born inLisburninCounty Antrim,Northern Ireland, on 25 May 1964, the second of three sons born to a British father and an Irish mother. His father was aRoyal Air Forcepilot.[1]He moved to England with his family at the age of eight, first settling in theLemingtonarea ofNewcastle upon Tyneand later inSeaton Delaval.He attended Bath Lane College (Newcastle upon Tyne) on a design course, then theBristol Old Vic Theatre School,graduating at the age of 29.[citation needed]

Career[edit]

Film[edit]

Stevenson made his film debut inThe Theory of Flight(1998) as agigolohired to helpHelena Bonham Carter's character lose her virginity.[2]In 2002, he starred in the short filmNo Man's Land,which was the antipodal picture from actor/director Edward Hicks prior to his graduation from theLondon Film School.In the 12-minute film, set duringWorld War I,Stevenson portrayed an experienced private who is forced to help a novice officer (David Birkin) back to safety after they both find themselves trapped and isolated in "No Man's Land"during theBattle of Ypres.In 2004, he starred inKing ArthurasDagonet,aknight of the round tablewho sacrifices his life for his comrades.[2]His first leading role in a film was in the Scottish horror pictureOutpost(2008), portraying a mercenary pitted againstNazizombiesin a bunker somewhere inEastern Europe.That same year, he also starred inPunisher: War Zone,asFrank Castle / The Punisher,a formerUnited States Marineturned vigilante after the murder of his family. In 2010, he played an antagonist in the comedyThe Other Guys.[2]

In 2011, Stevenson appeared in the filmKill the Irishman,based on the bookTo Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia,asDanny Greene,theIrish mobbosswho took on theItalian-AmericanCleveland crime familyduring the 1970s.[3]He starred asVolstagg,one ofThor's trusted comrades, in the 2011 Marvel filmThor.Also that year, he playedPorthosinPaul W. S. Anderson's adaptation ofThe Three Musketeers.[2]He playedFireflyinG.I. Joe: Retaliation,released in 2013. He appeared in the Finnish-American thriller filmBig Game.[4]In 2014, he starred in the filmDivergent,based on the first book ofThe Divergent Series.He reprised his role in the sequels,The Divergent Series: Insurgent,released in March 2015, andThe Divergent Series: Allegiant,released in March 2016.[2]

In 2019, Stevenson was announced as a lead antagonist in theTelugufilmRRR,directed byS. S. Rajamouliand released in 2022. This marked his debut inIndian cinema.[5]

Television[edit]

Stevenson playedlegionaryTitus Pulloin theBBC/HBOseriesRome.His other television work included guest appearances inWaking the Dead,Murphy's Lawand lead roles inCity CentralandAt Home with the Braithwaites.[6]He also appeared in TV films, includingSome Kind of Lifein 1995, andThe Return of the Native.Some of his earliest parts were in twoCatherine Cooksonfilms:The Dwelling Place(1994) andThe Tide of Life(1996).[2]Stevenson reprised his role as the Punisher as a voice actor inThe Super Hero Squad Showand played the role of Isaak Sirko in the seventh season ofDexterin 2012.[2]

On 24 March 2015, it was announced by producers that Stevenson would be joining the cast of the Starz seriesBlack Sailsas the characterEdward Teach.[7]

Stevenson also appeared in Season 6 of the series Vikings as Othere, which ran from 2013-2020. He also appeared in Season 3 of the seriesDas Bootas Commander Jack Swinburne in 2022.[8]

AtStar WarsCelebration 2023, Stevenson was announced as playing the Dark Jedi Baylan Skoll inAhsoka,a miniseries debuting onDisney+.[9]After the series' debut following Stevenson's passing, Stevenson's Skoll quickly became a fan favorite.[10][11]In an interview on Stevenson's part, showrunnerDave Filoninoted that when he was told to play Skoll as a villain, "[Stevenson] was like, ‘I don’t think so.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, I appreciate that you don’t think so, and Baylan wouldn’t think he’s the villain, but you are a villain in this.’ And he’s like, ‘We’ll see.’ It was kind of perfect.”[12]Stevenson also offered input on the design of his character'slightsaberhilt.[13]

Stevenson's performance inAhsokaalso received considerable praise from critics.Metrodescribed his work as "one of the highlights of the entireStar Warsseries, "[14]whileColliderdescribed Stevenson as having "an inescapable gravitas" and that he "gave a masterclass in character building."[13]

Stage[edit]

Stevenson's stage work included playing the part ofJesus Christin theYork Mystery Playsin 2000 atYork Minster.In 2001, he took the part of Roger in the playMouth to MouthbyKevin Elyot,at theAlbery Theatrein London withLindsay DuncanandMichael Maloney.His best-known part was perhaps that of the Cardinal inThe Duchess of MalfibyJohn WebsterwithJanet McTeerat theRoyal National Theatrein 2003.[15]

Personal life[edit]

In 1997, Stevenson married English actressRuth GemmellinLondon;they had met on the set ofBand of Gold(1995), and later played a married couple inPeak Practice(1997). They divorced in 2005 after eight years of marriage.[16]

Stevenson had three sons with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia.[17]

Death[edit]

Stevenson died on 21 May 2023, at age 58.[18][9]No cause of death has been revealed, but he was reportedly hospitalised while on set filmingCassino in Ischiaon the Italian island ofIschia.[19][20]Stevenson's co-stars, includingRosario Dawson,Scott Adkins,andJames Purefoy,paid tribute.[19]Stevenson's role inCassino in Ischiawas taken over byDominic Purcell.[21]

The first episode ofAhsoka,released just over three months after Stevenson's death on 22 August 2023, includes a dedication to him: "For our friend, Ray".[22]Ivanna Sakhno,who playedShin Hati,Stevenson's on-screen apprentice inAhsoka,wrote in commemoration that she would be "forever his Wolf," in tribute to their characters being named after thetwowargswho pursued the moon and sun inNorse mythology.[23]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1998 The Theory of Flight Gigolo [2]
1999 G:MT – Greenwich Mean Time Mr. Hardy [3]
2002 No Man's Land Short film
2004 King Arthur Dagonet [2]
2008 Outpost DC [2]
Punisher: War Zone Frank Castle / Punisher [2]
2009 Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant Murlough [2]
2010 The Book of Eli Redridge [2]
The Other Guys Roger Wesley [2]
2011 Kill the Irishman Danny Greene [3]
Thor Volstagg [2]
The Three Musketeers Porthos [2]
2013 G.I. Joe: Retaliation Firefly [2]
Jayne Mansfield's Car Phillip Bedford [2]
Thor: The Dark World Volstagg [2]
2014 Divergent Marcus Eaton [2]
Big Game Morris [2]
2015 The Divergent Series: Insurgent Marcus Eaton [2]
The Transporter: Refueled Frank Martin Sr. [2]
2016 The Divergent Series: Allegiant Marcus Eaton [2]
2017 Thor: Ragnarok Volstagg [2]
Cold Skin Gruner [2]
2018 Accident Man Big Ray [2]
Final Score Arkady Belav [2]
2022 RRR Governor Scott Buxton [2]
Memory Detective Danny Mora [2]
Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday Big Ray [2]
TBA 1242: Gateway to the West Cesareane Post-production, posthumous release [24]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1993 A Woman's Guide to Adultery Journalist
1994 The Dwelling Place Matthew Whitwell 3 episodes [2]
The Return of the Native Clym Yeobright Television film [2]
1995 Band of Gold Steve Dickson 12 episodes [16]
Some Kind of Life Steve Television film [2]
1996 The Tide of Life Larry Birch 3 episodes [2]
1997 Peak Practice Joe Higson Episode: "Home Truths"
Drover's Gold Armstrong 5 episodes [6]
1998 City Central DI Tony Baynham 32 episodes [6]
1999 Love in the 21st Century Alex Episode: "Toyboys" [6]
2000 Holby City Laurence Haney Episode: "Taking It on the Chin"
The Bill Sgt. Gartland Episode: "Over the Edge"
2001 At Home with the Braithwaites Graham Braithwaite 11 episodes [2]
Dalziel and Pascoe Jeff Parry Episode: "Truth and Consequences" [2]
2003 Red Cap Sgt. Chris Roxborough Episode: "Cover Story"
Murphy's Law Robert Eaglan Episode: "Kiss and Tell" [2]
2004 Waking the Dead Dr Tim Faulkner Episode: "Fugue States"
2005–2007 Rome Titus Pullo 22 episodes [2]
2007 Life Line Peter Brasco Television film [6]
2009 The Super Hero Squad Show Frank Castle / Punisher Voice, Episode: "Night in the Sanctorum!" [25][2]
2012 Dexter Isaak Sirko 9 episodes
Nominated –Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television 		[2]
2014 Crossing Lines Miles Lennon 4 episodes
2015 Saints & Strangers Stephen Hopkins Miniseries [2]
2016–2017 Black Sails Edward Teach / Blackbeard 11 episodes [2]
Star Wars Rebels Gar Saxon Voice, 2 episodes [9]
2017 Rellik DSI Edward Benton 6 episodes [2]
2019 Reef Break Jake Elliot 13 episodes [2]
Medici Ferdinand I of Naples 2 episodes [9]
2020 The Spanish Princess James IV of Scotland 2 episodes [2]
Vikings Ohthere of Hålogaland 11 episodes [2]
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Gar Saxon Voice, 2 episodes [9]
2022 Das Boot Commander Jack Swinburne 8 episodes [9]
2023 Ahsoka Baylan Skoll Main role, 8 episodes; posthumous release [9]

Stage[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2000 York Mystery Plays Christ [26]
2001 Mouth to Mouth Roger [26]
2003 The Duchess of Malfi The Cardinal [15]

References[edit]

  1. ^"BBC – Press Office – Rome press pack phase two Ray Stevenson".bbc.co.uk.Retrieved6 September2015.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatau"Ray Stevenson List of Movies and TV Shows".TV Guide.Retrieved22 May2023.
  3. ^abc"Ray Stevenson Filmography".Turner Classic Movies.Retrieved22 May2023.
  4. ^"Samuel Jackson Hunts a 'Big Game' (Trailer) -".bloody-disgusting.com.5 January 2015.Retrieved6 September2015.
  5. ^Press Trust of India (20 November 2019)."SS Rajamouli ropes in Olivia Morris Ray Stevenson and Alison Doody for RRR".India Today.Retrieved20 November2019.
  6. ^abcde"Ray Stevenson".British Film Institute.Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2019.Retrieved22 May2023.
  7. ^Friedlander, Whitney."'Divergent's' Ray Stevenson Joins Starz's 'Black Sails' as Blackbeard ".Variety. Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC.Retrieved24 March2015.
  8. ^"Das Boot (TV Series 2018– ) –" Cast "credits – IMDb".IMDb.Retrieved1 September2023.
  9. ^abcdefgPederson, Erik (22 May 2023)."Ray Stevenson Dies: 'RRR', 'Thor', Vikings' & 'Divergent' Actor Was 58".Deadline.Retrieved22 May2023.
  10. ^Smith, Ryan (7 October 2023)."Baylan Skoll Raises Some of Star Wars' Biggest Questions".Comic Book Resources.Retrieved29 December2023.
  11. ^Castleton, Lord (3 October 2023)."What Makes Ahsoka's Baylon Skoll So Damn Captivating?".Pajiba.Retrieved29 December2023.
  12. ^Coggan, Devan (22 November 2023)."Dave Filoni remembers" Ahsoka "star Ray Stevenson and explains Baylan Skoll's big finale cliffhanger".Entertainment Tonight.Retrieved29 December2023.
  13. ^abBardini, Julio (10 October 2023)."It's a Shame We Won't Get More of Ray Stevenson's Baylan Skoll in Star Wars".Collider.Retrieved29 December2023.
  14. ^Barr, Sabrina (3 October 2023)."Ray Stevenson's performance in Ahsoka before his death purposely paid homage to original Star Wars movies".Metro.Retrieved29 December2023.
  15. ^abWolf, Matt (3 February 2003)."The Duchess of Malfi".Variety.Retrieved22 May2023.
  16. ^abKoncienzcy, Rebecca (10 December 2017)."Where is the cast of Band of Gold now?".Liverpool Echo.Reach Plc.Retrieved7 March2019.She married fellow Band of Gold actor Ray Stevenson in 1997, but the couple divorced in 2005.
  17. ^Bahr, Lindsey (22 May 2023)."Ray Stevenson, of 'Rome' and 'Thor' movies, dies at 58".ABC News.Retrieved22 May2023.
  18. ^"Ray Stevenson, 'Punisher: War Zone' and 'Rome' Star, dies at 58".TheWrap.22 May 2023.Retrieved22 May2023.
  19. ^ab"Ray Stevenson: Thor, Volstagg and Star Wars actor dies aged 58".BBC News.22 May 2023.Retrieved23 May2023.
  20. ^VanHoose, Benjamin (24 May 2023)."Ray Stevenson Was Rushed to Hospital from Set Before Death, Filming Was Suspended: Sources (Exclusive)".People.Retrieved24 May2023.
  21. ^Wiseman, Andreas (29 June 2023)."Dominic Purcell Replaces Late Ray Stevenson InCassino In IschiaMovie From Republic Pictures & Paramount Global ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved9 July2023.
  22. ^Ross, Dalton (22 August 2023)."Ahsoka premiere pays tribute to the late Ray Stevenson".Entertainment Weekly.Retrieved24 August2023.
  23. ^Lammers, Tim (4 October 2023)."Ivanna Sakhno's Tribute To Late Ahsoka Co-Star Ray Stevenson Will Make You Cry".Looper.Retrieved29 December2023.
  24. ^Vlessing, Etan (25 January 2023)."Ray Stevenson Replaces Kevin Spacey in Epic Drama '1242: Gateway to the West'".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved25 March2024.
  25. ^"Marvel Super Hero Squad voice Cast".Comics Continuum.28 July 2009.Retrieved25 March2024.
  26. ^ab"Ray Stevenson".Empire.Retrieved22 May2023.

External links[edit]

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