What was Ray Stevenson’s cause of death? The tragic loss of a Star Wars actor

Ray Stevenson, a Northern Irish actor known for his roles in King Arthur, Rome, Punisher: War Zone, and the upcoming Star Wars series Ahsoka, died on May 22, 2023, just four days before his 59th birthday. His death shocked and saddened the entertainment industry and his fans around the world. But what was Ray Stevenson’s cause of death? How did he die? And what legacy did he leave behind?

A sudden heart attack in Italy

According to StyleCaster, Ray Stevenson’s PR company Viewpoint confirmed his death to several news outlets like BBC and Variety, but did not disclose how he died. However, reports claim that he had a heart attack while filming on the Italian island of Ischia. He was working on the movie Cassino in Ischia at the time of his death.

Cassino in Ischia is a comedy film about an action star who travels to Italy to make the first ever “Neo-Realist” action film with down-on-their-luck Italian directors. Stevenson played the lead role of Nic Cassino, a box office king who is knocked off his perch by the next generation of action heroes.

According to Deadline, Stevenson had completed filming his scenes for Cassino in Ischia before his death. The film is expected to be released in 2024.

A versatile and talented actor

Ray Stevenson was born in Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on May 25, 1964. He moved to England with his family at the age of eight and attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He made his film debut in The Theory of Flight (1998) as a gigolo hired to help Helena Bonham Carter’s character lose her virginity.

He rose to fame with his portrayal of Dagonet, a knight of the round table who sacrifices his life for his comrades, in King Arthur (2004). He also starred as Titus Pullo, a loyal and charismatic Roman soldier, in the BBC/HBO historical series Rome (2005-2007).

He played two Marvel Comics characters: Frank Castle/The Punisher, a former US Marine turned vigilante after the murder of his family, in Punisher: War Zone (2008) and The Super Hero Squad Show; and Volstagg, one of the Warriors Three and a friend of Thor, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Ragnarok (2017).

He also appeared in films such as Kill the Irishman (2011), where he portrayed mobster Danny Greene; The Three Musketeers (2011), where he played Porthos; RRR (2022), where he played the villainous Governor Scott; and 1242: Gateway to the West (2023), where he played King John.

His television roles include Ukrainian mobster Isaak Sirko in the seventh season of Dexter; Blackbeard in the third and fourth seasons of Black Sails; voicing Gar Saxon in Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars; and portraying Baylan Skoll, a former Jedi turned to the dark side who allies with Grand Admiral Thrawn, in Ahsoka.

Ahsoka is an original Disney+ Star Wars series that follows the adventures of Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi Padawan who survived Order 66 and became a rebel leader. Rosario Dawson plays Ahsoka Tano, reprising her role from The Mandalorian. Stevenson had filmed his scenes for Ahsoka before his death. The series is set to premiere in late 2023.

A loving partner and father

Ray Stevenson was married to English actress Ruth Gemmell from 1997 to 2005. They met on the set of Band of Gold (1995), a British television drama series about four women who work as prostitutes. They also starred together in Peak Practice (1997), a British medical drama series.

He had three sons with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia, whom he met while filming Rome in Italy. They lived together in Ibiza, Spain. He described his family as his “greatest achievement” and said that they gave him “a sense of balance” in his life.

He also had a close friendship with John Malkovich, who inspired him to pursue acting when he saw him perform on stage in London. He said that Malkovich was “like a brother” to him and that they shared “a lot of laughs”.

A gentle and heavy-handed star

Ray Stevenson was remembered by his co-stars and colleagues as a gentle, kind, generous, and talented actor who brought passion and intensity to his roles.

Rosario Dawson, who played Ahsoka Tano alongside him, posted a tribute on Instagram, saying that he was “a gentle giant with a heart of gold and a smile that lit up the room”. She also said that he was “heavy-handed” in the Star Wars series, implying that he had a powerful and menacing presence as Baylan Skoll.

Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, also expressed his condolences, saying that Stevenson was “a wonderful actor and a great collaborator”. He praised his performances as Volstagg and The Punisher, saying that he brought “humor, warmth, and humanity” to the former and “grit, determination, and justice” to the latter.

Ray Stevenson’s cause of death was a tragic loss for the entertainment industry and his fans. He left behind a legacy of diverse and memorable roles that showcased his versatility and talent. He will be missed by many.

Doms Desk

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