Renowned British actor Ray Stevenson dies at 58 while filming in Italy
Ray Stevenson, the acclaimed British actor, has died at the age of 58. Reports indicate the actor passed away on May 21, with news confirming the death on May 22. The loss was linked to his time working on a production on the Italian island of Ischia. Details about the cause were not disclosed, and officials noted that the information came from multiple outlets and may have varied in the hours surrounding the event.
According to reports from a major Italian newspaper, Stevenson had been hospitalized for health concerns on May 20. He had been working on a project directed by Frank Chiota, with scenes filmed in Cassino on Ischia. The actor reportedly fell ill on a Saturday afternoon and required hospitalization. The hospital involved was Rizzoli on Ischia, and the information described his condition as serious before he could recover. Further specifics were not provided, leaving family and fans to mourn the sudden news shortly before his 59th birthday, with his birthday coming on May 25, 1964.
Stevenson’s early life saw him move from Northern Ireland to England as a child. He spent formative years in Leamington, near Newcastle upon Tyne, and in Cramlington, Northumberland. He was the middle of three sons born to an RAF pilot and an Irish mother who nurtured a long held dream of acting. That dream followed him into adulthood, shaping a career that would eventually cross stage, screen, and legend.
Entered the film industry in 1993, Stevenson appeared in various television episodes before breaking through in a feature film in 1998. His expansive filmography includes notable roles in The Book of Eli and major television productions such as Rome. He also appeared in The Other Guys and Kill the Irishman, and in 2011 he landed the role of Volstagg in Marvel’s Thor. He would return for Thor: The Dark World in 2013 and Thor: Ragnarok in 2017, expanding his reach within the superhero genre.
Beyond the Marvel universe, Stevenson added depth to projects like Divergent, ten episodes of Dexter, GI Joe: Retaliation, Black Sails, and Crossing the Line. In India’s sensational film RRR, he portrayed the character Scott Buxton, contributing to a global audience’s fascination with his work. Fans of Star Wars will remember his voice work as Gar Saxon in Rebels and The Clone Wars, with a later appearance in the upcoming TV series Ahsoka that fans anticipate with interest.
Stevenson’s personal life included a marriage to actress Ruth Gemmell from 1997 to 2005. He later formed a partnership with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia, known for her work on the TV series Roma. The couple has three children together named Sebastiano Derek, Leonardo George, and Lodovico, who continue to carry on his legacy in the public eye.
Colleagues and fans remember Stevenson as a versatile performer whose presence could anchor a scene with quiet intensity or blast into a bold, larger-than-life moment. The actor’s career spanned decades and genres, from intimate dramatic roles to action packed adventures, earning him enduring recognition in both the United States and Canada as well as internationally. Tributes poured in from fellow artists and fans who celebrated a life spent delivering memorable performances across film and television.
As the family processes the loss, supporters reflect on Stevenson’s impact in cinema and television, acknowledging a career that touched countless audiences. His work across a spectrum of genres continues to resonate, ensuring that his memory endures in the many characters he brought to life on screen.