Punisher, Star Wars actor Ray Stevenson has died, aged 58

Ray Stevenson, the iconic British actor well known for his role as The Punisher in Punisher: War Zone and The Super Hero Squad Show, as well as the voice of Gar Saxon in Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars, has died at the age of 58.

Stevenson’s representatives confirmed that the actor died just four days before his birthday on Sunday, 21 May (via The Guardian). It was reported by Italian news site la Repubblica that he was hospitalised on 20 May due to an illness, whilst in the midst of production on the upcoming drama film Cassino on the Italian island of Ischia.

Stevenson had a huge filmography filled with a variety of roles. He appeared as the bearded Asgardian warrior, Volstagg, in the first three Thor movies, and as Marcus Eaton in the Divergent movie trilogy. In the world of TV, he starred as Isaak Sirko - the main antagonist in the seventh season of Dexter - as well as Blackbeard in Black Sails. He will also appear as Baylan Skoll in the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars series, Ahsoka, which is set to air in August.

Fans, actors and directors alike have been paying tribute to Stevenson online: “This is so sad. Ray played my Dad in the first thing I ever did on TV. Almost 30 years ago. A proper actor with a fascinating career and I couldn’t have dreamed of a better first experience in this ridiculous industry,” Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis tweeted, making reference to the pair’s roles in the drama series Some Kind of Life.

“So sad to hear the news that Ray Stevenson, our Pullo in Rome, has passed away,” Rome star James Purefoy wrote. “A brilliant, gutsy, larger-than-life actor who filled every part he played right up to the brim. My thoughts are with his family, his lovely wife Betta and their beautiful kids. What a loss.”

Here at GAMINGbible, our thoughts go out to Stevenson’s family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.