'Scott Dora' Ray Stevenson of 'RRR' fame no more; Jr NTR, Rajamouli mourn his demise

HYDERABAD: With deep sadness and heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Ray Stevenson, the talented Northern Irish actor who captivated audiences with his remarkable performances. Stevenson, known for his roles as the villainous British governor in RRR, Volstagg in the Thor films, and a main antagonist in the upcoming Star Wars series Ahsoka, passed away at age 58.

Representatives for Stevenson confirmed that he departed on Sunday, just four days before his birthday. Reports from the Italian newspaper La Repubblica revealed that he had been hospitalized for a sudden illness while filming Cassino in Ischia, Italy.

The news of Stevenson's untimely demise has left the entertainment industry and his fans shocked.

Director SS Rajamouli, who worked closely with him for RRR, expressed his disbelief, stating, "Just can't believe this news. Ray brought in so much energy and vibrancy with him to the sets. It was infectious. Working with him was pure joy. My prayers are with his family. May his soul rest in peace."

Fellow actor Matthew Lewis, who shared the screen with Stevenson in the television film Some Kind of Life, paid tribute on Twitter, sharing fond memories of their time. He described Stevenson as a "proper actor with a fascinating career" and expressed gratitude for the invaluable experience he provided as a young actor.

NTR shared the screen space with Stevenson and wrote, "Shocked to hear about Ray Stevenson's passing. Gone too soon. It was a great experience working with him. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and dear ones during this difficult time."

Team RRR shared an interesting BTS still from the film and mentioned that Stevenson performed a stunt for the film at the age of 56, recollecting his readiness for the perfection of a shot.

Stevenson's contributions to the world of cinema extended beyond RRR. He portrayed the beloved character Volstagg in Marvel's Thor franchise, showcased his talent in the TV series Vikings as Othere, and lent his voice to the animated Star Wars series The Clone Wars and Rebels as Gar Saxon. His upcoming project, the Disney+ series Ashoka, was highly anticipated, and he was set to join Rosario Dawson.

Born on May 25, 1964, in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Stevenson began his screen career in the early 1990s, captivating audiences with his appearances in European TV series and telefilms. He made his mark on the big screen in Paul Greengrass' 1998 drama The Theory of Flight alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Kenneth Branagh.

Throughout his career, Stevenson showcased his versatility and talent in a range of films, including Antoine Fuqua's King Arthur (2004), Lexi Alexander's Punisher: War Zone (2008), the Hughes Brothers' The Book of Eli (2010), and Adam McKay's The Other Guys (2010).

Ray Stevenson's remarkable presence on the screen will be deeply missed, and his legacy as a versatile actor and cherished performer will endure. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans. May his soul find eternal peace.