Ray Stevenson, the Irish actor who starred in the Disney+ series Ahsoka and the Tollywood film RRR, passed away on May 22, 2023, at the age of 58. His death shocked and saddened the entertainment industry, as he was known for his versatile and charismatic roles in various films and TV shows. But how did Ray Stevenson die? What was the cause of his death? Here is what we know so far.
Ray Stevenson’s Illness and Hospitalization
According to the Italian newspapers Il Corriere della Sera and Il Mattino, Ray Stevenson died of a heart attack caused by a severe anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. It can cause symptoms such as swelling, breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrest.
Stevenson was filming a movie called Cassino in Ischia on the Italian island of Ischia when he fell ill. He was reportedly suffering from chest pains during the shoot and was rushed to the hospital on May 21, 2023. He was pronounced dead the next day, just four days before his 59th birthday.
His publicist confirmed his death on May 23, 2023, but did not reveal the exact cause of death or any details about his funeral arrangements. His family and friends requested privacy and respect during this difficult time.
Ray Stevenson’s Career and Legacy
Ray Stevenson was born in Northern Ireland but moved to England when he was eight years old. His father was stationed with the Royal Air Force (RAF) near Lisburn, County Antrim, at the time of his birth in 1964. He was inspired to pursue acting by John Malkovich and studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
He began his career in British TV shows such as Waking the Dead, Dalziel and Pascoe, and At Home with the Braithwaites. He gained recognition for his role as Titus Pullo in the HBO historical series Rome, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 2007.
He also appeared in several blockbuster movies, such as King Arthur (2004), The Punisher: War Zone (2008), Thor (2011), The Three Musketeers (2011), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), Divergent (2014), and The Book of Eli (2010). He played Volstagg, one of Thor’s allies and a member of the Warriors Three, in three Marvel Cinematic Universe films: Thor, Thor: The Dark World, and Thor: Ragnarok.
He recently ventured into the Indian film industry with RRR, a period action drama directed by S.S. Rajamouli. He played Scott, a British army officer who clashes with two Indian freedom fighters played by N.T.R. Jr. and Ram Charan. The film was released on January 7, 2023, and became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
His last role was in Ahsoka, a spin-off series from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. He voiced Baylan Skroll, a former Jedi who turned to the dark side and allied with Grand Admiral Thrawn. The series premiered on Disney+ on May 4, 2023, and dedicated its first episode to Stevenson with a message that read “For our friend, Ray.”
Ray Stevenson was widely admired for his talent, charisma, and versatility as an actor. He brought life to many memorable characters and entertained millions of fans around the world. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and admirers. May he rest in peace.
