Titanic star David Warner has died tragically aged 80.
The beloved actor’s family revealed “with an overwhelmingly heavy heart” that he died of a cancer-related illness on Monday, The Sun reported.
They paid tribute to the “kind-hearted, generous and compassionate” father and colleague in a moving tribute.
His beloved partner Lisa wrote in a heartbreaking message: “Good night sweet prince. May you fly angels… heartbroken.
Warner was best known for playing Billy Zane’s sidekick Spicer Lovejoy in Titanic.
He also played photojournalist Keith Jennings in the 1976 horror film The Omen.
Most recently, he appeared as Admiral Boom in Mary Poppins Returns opposite Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The actor spent his last days at Denville Hall, a retirement home for the entertainment industry.
His family said in a statement: “It is with an overwhelmingly heavy heart that we share the news of the death of actor David Warner (at the age of almost 81), from a cancer-related illness, at the first time July 24 in Denville Hall.
“During the last 18 months he approached his diagnosis with characteristic grace and dignity.
“For 60 years he was a highly respected film, television, voice and film actor.”
His work with the Royal Shakespeare Company saw him as Hamlet, Henry VI in The Wars of the Roses in the 1960s and Falstaff in their 2008 story cycle.
He acted in Tom Jones, Morgan: A Suitable Case For Treatment, The Omen, Time Bandits, Tron, Star Treks V & VI and Titanic.
The family added: “He will be greatly missed by us, his family and friends, and will be remembered as a kind-hearted, generous and compassionate man, partner and father whose legacy of extraordinary work has touched the lives of so many people over the years.
“We are heartbroken.
“He is survived by his loving partner Lisa Bowerman, his much-loved son Luke and daughter-in-law Sarah, his good friend Jane Spencer Prior, his first wife Harriet Evans and his many gold dust friends.”
Friends and colleagues also paid tribute to Warner.
Director Edgar Wright wrote on Twitter: “So sad to hear of the passing of David Warner, an actor with a great legacy on stage and screen and unforgettable roles in; Morgan: A Case Fit for Treatment, Straw Dogs, From Beyond the Grave, The Omen, Time After Time, Time Bandits, Tron, Titanic and more.
“He will be missed.”
This story originally appeared in The Sun and is reproduced here with permission