Contributor

Terence Stamp

Actor

Terence Stamp was born in Bow, London. His motion picture debut was the title role in Peter Ustinov's 1962 film adaptation of Herman Melville's Billy Budd, which brought him not only an Academy Award® nomination but also international attention. After this success, Stamp collaborated with some of the cinema's most revered filmmakers. Stamp starred in William Wyler's adaptation of John Fowles' THE COLLECTOR opposite Samantha Eggar, and in MODESTY BLAISE for director Joseph Losey and producer Joe Janni. Stamp reteamed with producer Janni for two more projects: John Schlesinger's adaptation of Thomas Hardy's FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD starring opposite Julie Christie, and Ken Loach's first feature film POOR COW. Stamp then journeyed to Italy to star in Federico Fellini's TOBY DAMMIT, a 50-minute portion of the Edgar Allan Poe film adaptation SPIRITS OF THE DEAD. Stamp made Italy his home for several years, during which time his film work included Pier Palo Pasolini's TEOREMA opposite Silvana Magano. His subsequent credits include Alan Cooke's THE MIND OF MR. SOAMES, Richard Donner's SUPERMAN and Richard Lester's SUPERMAN II (as Kryptonian super-villain General Zod), Peter Brook's MEETINGS WITH REMARKABLE MEN, Stephen Frears' THE HIT, Richard Franklin's LINK, Ivan Reitman's LEGAL EAGLES, Michael Cimino's THE SICILIAN, and Oliver Stone's WALL STREET. The film PRINCE OF SHADOWS, in which the actor starred for director Pilar Miro, was awarded the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Stamp began his fourth decade as an actor wearing some of the choicest of Lizzy Gardiner's Academy Award® winning costumes for the comedy THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT for director Stefan Elliot, starring along with Guy Pierce and Hugo Weaving. In 1999 it was Terence's lead role in Steven Soderbergh's THE LIMEY - which debuted that year to widespread critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival - that once again made him popular to a whole new generation of moviegoers. For his performance, Terence received nominations for Best Male Lead at the 2000 Independent Spirit Awards and for Best British Actor at the London Film Critic Circle (ALFS) Awards. Stamp followed this up with memorable roles in Frank Oz's BOWFINGER, RED PLANET, the French romantic comedy MY WIFE IS AN ACTRESS, Disney's THE HAUNTED MANSION and Marvel’s ELEKTRA. In 2008, Terence stayed busy starring in four major studio releases that year including the re-make of the famous television series GET SMART opposite Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway; WANTED opposite Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy; YES MAN opposite Jim Carrey; and in the historical thriller VALKYRIE for director Brian Singer and starring opposite Tom Cruise. Last year, Stamp starred opposite Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in Universal’s THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU playing the mysterious fixer Thompson. In addition to his acting career, Stamp is an accomplished writer and author. He has published three volumes of his memoirs, including Stamp Album (written in tribute to his late mother), a novel entitled The Night, and a cookbook co-written with Elizabeth Buxton to provide alternatives to those who are wheat and dairy-intolerant. Stamp recently released his latest memoir entitled Rare Stamps, in which he shares his personal experiences as an actor through his long career and the industry’s everchanging landscape.

September 11, 2013

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