Terence Stamp, the acclaimed British actor best known for playing General Zod in the classic Superman films, has died aged 87, his family confirmed.

Born in London’s East End in 1938, Stamp rose to fame during the swinging 1960s, admired for his striking looks and elegant style. He became one of Britain’s most glamourous leading men, starring alongside Julie Christie in Far From the Madding Crowd (1967) and dating supermodel Jean Shrimpton.

Though once considered for the role of James Bond, Stamp instead made his mark internationally, working in Italian cinema during the late 1960s. After a brief retreat from the spotlight to study yoga in India, Stamp returned to Hollywood in one of his most iconic roles – General Zod, the menacing Kryptonian villain in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). His chilling portrayal made him one of the most memorable comic book villains on screen.

Over the following decades, he appeared in diverse projects, including the cult hit The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), where he played a transgender woman, and major films such as Valkyrie (2008) with Tom Cruise and The Adjustment Bureau (2011) alongside Matt Damon.