Tributes pour in for Titanic star David Warner who has died aged 80

Virgin Radio

26 Jul 2022, 11:23

A sad time in the world of film and theatre as the Bafta-nominated Titanic, The Omen and Star Trek actor David Warner has passed away from a cancer-related illness.

A statement from his family said: "He will be missed hugely by us, his family and friends, and remembered as a kind-hearted, generous and compassionate man, partner and father whose legacy of extraordinary work has touched the lives of so many over the years. We are heartbroken.

"He is survived by his beloved partner Lisa Bowerman, his much-loved son Luke and daughter-in-law Sarah, his good friend Jane Spencer Prior, his first wife Harriet Evans and his many gold dust friends."

Born in Manchester in June 1941, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art-trained star played valet and bodyguard Spicer Lovejoy in 1997's Titanic, photographer Keith Jennings in the 1976 horror film The Omen and various roles in Star Trek alongside William Shatner and Patrick Stewart.

In 1966, he starred in Morgan: A Suitable Case For Treatment alongside Dame Vanessa Redgrave, and in 1980s series Masada with Peter O’Toole which bagged him an Emmy, plus in films You, Me And Him and Mary Poppins Returns.

RSC artistic director Gregory Doran called Warner 'a generous spirit, a kind man, and a huge talent'.

Director Edgar Write said: "Very sad to hear of David Warner’s passing, an actor with a huge legacy on stage & screen and unforgettable roles in Morgan: A Suitable Case For Treatment, Straw Dogs, From Beyond The Grave, The Omen, Time After Time, Time Bandits, Tron, Titanic and much more. He will be missed."

The League of Gentlemen's Reece Shearsmith said: "David Warner. Immaculate and singular in every part he played. Such fun working together, (always patient with me when I discussed his head coming off in The Omen). An honour to have worked with him and got to see him at his absolute funniest. A sad day."