Veteran British actor Terence Stamp revealed years before his death aged 87 that he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in Green Park.
The Academy Award-nominated actor, who rose to fame in London in the 1960s and played Kryptonian villain General Zod in the original Superman films, died yesterday.
Stamp, who starred as a transgender woman in 1994’s The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, was nominated for a Bafta for his performance.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in October 2012, Stamp said the order of service at his funeral ‘would be for my friends to decide, but I expect to be cremated.’
He added: ‘I don’t own a home so I live on the move, but in my heart I’m a Londoner. So I guess my ashes should be scattered there, maybe in Green Park.’
In a wide-ranging interview, Stamp also said the one regret he wished he could amend was ‘turning down the part of Arthur in Josh Logan’s 1967 musical film Camelot because I was frightened of singing’ – with Richard Harris getting the part.
Stamp was friends with Princess Diana, and told journalist Rob McGibbon for The Definite Article interview in the Mail that the misapprehension about himself he wished he could erase was that he was ‘romantically involved’ with her.
The actor, who was born in London’s East End in 1938, added: ‘We were just really good chums, yet I still get asked questions alluding to something more. She was a lot of fun – we used to have lunch at San Lorenzo and her company was heaven.’
Terence Stamp at a viewing of the re-mastered Far From The Madding Crowd in London in 2014
Stamp said his biggest regret was ‘turning down the part of Arthur in Josh Logan’s 1967 musical film Camelot because I was frightened of singing’ – with Richard Harris getting the part
Terence Stamp and Princess Diana at the premiere of the film ‘Wall Street’ in London in 1988. He insisted in the interview that they were not ‘romantically involved’ but simply ‘chums’
Stamp said the happiest moment of his life was the first time he kissed the model Jean Shrimpton. He added: ‘It was in Hollywood in 1964. Just to lay eyes on her was a joy. We were together for three years. She was the love of my life. Definitely.’
The saddest was his mother’s death in 1985. He said: ‘She was in hospital following a stroke and I thought she was going to pull through. I was overwhelmed by grief.’
Stamp also said that his most prized possession was a handwoven rug made for him by Italian actress Silvana Mangano, while his biggest pet hate was ‘people speaking loudly on mobile phones about personal matters’.
His favourite film was And God Created Woman from 1956 which was ‘the first time I laid eyes on Brigitte Bardot – I became besotted with her’.
Stamp said the figure from history for whom he would most like to buy a pie and a pint was Alexander the Great; while the piece of wisdom he would pass on to a child would be: ‘Be aware, be yourself and follow your heart.’
The unfulfilled ambition that ‘continues to haunt’ him was: ‘To be at peace in the moment, where you quieten the mind from pushing you into the future.’
Asked how he wanted to be remembered, Stamp replied: ‘As someone who spent his whole career earning his living as a stroller player.’
Stamp revealed the happiest moment of his life was the first time he kissed the model Jean Shrimpton. They are pictured together in London before going on holiday to Australia in 1965
Stamp said he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in London’s Green Park
Mr McGibbon, the journalist who interviewed Stamp, told the Mail today: “Terence was a super guy and I remember really enjoying interviewing him.
‘He was very low key, modest and fascinating to talk to. He had lived such an interesting and glamorous life, yet he was un-phased by it all.
‘He was totally grounded and not at all swayed by the showbiz world. I remember him giving me great advice on working out – even though he was much older than me. He was a legend from another era and super cool.’
Stamp rose to acting fame in the 1960s after he won a drama school scholarship.
The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art scholarship led him to the stage, where he acted in repertory theatre and met Michael Caine, who was five years older than him.
The pair lived together in a flat in Harley Street while they were both looking for their big break, but they parted ways and lost touch, Stamp previously said.
He made his film debut in Peter Ustinov’s 1962 film adaptation of Herman Melville’s Billy Budd and his portrayal of the title character brought an Oscar nomination.
Known for his stylish clothes, Stamp famously dated actress Julie Christie, who he performed alongside in the 1967 film Far From The Madding Crowd.
(From left) Sarah Douglas, Terence Stamp and Jack O’Halloran in Superman II in 1980
Terence Stamp and Julie Christie in the 1967 film Far From The Madding Crowd
Terence Stamp and his wife Elizabeth O’Rourke in Marrakesh in 2005. They divorced in 2008
Actor Terence Stamp is pictured before he played the lead in the 1962 film Billy Budd
But, after missing out on the role of James Bond, he fell out of the limelight for a while.
It was not until 1978 that he got his most famous role as General Zod and appeared in Superman’s 1980 sequel as the same character.
Stamp was also widely praised for his lead in director Steven Soderbergh’s 1999 crime drama The Limey.
He began voice acting and writing books in the late ’90s, but also continued acting in films, appearing alongside Tom Cruise in Valkyrie in 2008 and working on movies directed by Tim Burton.
Stamp married 29-year-old Elizabeth O’Rourke in 2002 at the age of 64 but the couple divorced six years later. He did not have any children.
His film career spanning six decades ended with the 2021 psychological thriller Last Night In Soho.
Now read the full article from the Mail’s Weekend magazine on October 6, 2012:
The Definite Article: We ask a celebrity a set of devilishly probing questions – and only accept THE definitive answer. This week it’s actor Terence Stamp
British actor Terence Stamp in London, 2004
The prized possession you value above all others… A beautiful hand-woven rug made for me by the Italian actress Silvana Mangano. She was brilliant at needlepoint and it took her two years.
The unqualified regret you wish you could amend… Turning down the part of Arthur in Josh Logan’s 1967 musical film Camelot because I was frightened of singing. Richard Harris got the part.
The way you would spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions… I’d wake up to the sound of the call to prayer at the Palais Jamaï hotel in Fez, Morocco. I’d then go to the New York Athletic Club for a swim and a steam, followed by brunch in San Francisco. I’d be back in Manhattan for shad roe [fish eggs] at Grand Central Station’s Oyster Bar for lunch, then hang out with my brother Chris at his home in East Hampton. I miss Concorde, so I’d fly on it to London for a West End play, then back for dinner with friends at Elio’s on the Upper East Side. I always order a plate of fried courgette to start. I don’t drink alcohol, but I’d be happy with a cold bottle of Badoit mineral water.
The temptation you wish you could resist… Toasted organic spelt bread with olive oil. It’s fattening but I think of it as a treat because I grew up in London’s East End during the war and after German bombing raids my mum always said, ‘Not to worry, let’s have a nice cup of tea and some toast.’
The book that holds an everlasting resonance… The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham. It’s such a powerful book about an American pilot’s search for meaning in life after being traumatised in the First World War.
The priority activity if you were the Invisible Man for a day… I’d go inside the multinational agricultural and biotech company Monsanto’s headquarters to see just how much genetically modified food they are making.
The pet hate that always gets your back up… People speaking loudly on mobile phones about personal matters.
The film you can watch time and time again… And God Created Woman from 1956. I was 17 and it was the first time I laid eyes on Brigitte Bardot. I became besotted with her.
The person who has influenced you most… Baron Frederik van Pallandt. He was a Dutch singer in the 60s and became my mentor. He taught me that less is more.
The figure from history for whom you’d most like to buy a pie and a pint… Alexander the Great. I’m fascinated by powerful figures who just get on with it.
The piece of wisdom you would pass on to a child… Be aware, be yourself and follow your heart.
The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity… I’m 74 and I’ve suddenly realised the benefits of high-intensity training. I do one 15-minute workout each week and it keeps me fit.
The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again… A lead bust of the Greek philosopher Socrates. I had to sell it in the mid-70s to pay the rent because I was totally broke.
The unending quest that drives you on … To reach 80 with a fully flexible spine. I do yoga regularly.
The poem that touches your soul… The Masnavi, which is a collection of spiritual poems by Rumi [the 13th-century Persian poet and mystic].
The event that altered the course of your life and character… Meeting the Indian spiritual teacher and philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti when I was 27. His teachings opened my eyes to so much.
The misapprehension about yourself you wish you could erase… That I was romantically involved with Princess Diana. We were just really good chums, yet I still get asked questions alluding to something more. She was a lot of fun – we used to have lunch at San Lorenzo and her company was heaven.
The crime you would commit knowing you could get away with it … I would steal Shah Jahan’s jade drinking cup [made in 1657] from the V&A. It’s the most exquisite object I’ve ever seen. The song that means most to you… Night And Day by Cole Porter. It’s just a beautiful song and I love it.
The happiest moment you will cherish forever… The first time I kissed Jean Shrimpton! It was in Hollywood in 1964. Just to lay eyes on her was a joy. We were together for three years. She was the love of my life. Definitely.
The saddest time that shook your world… My mother’s death in 1985. She was in hospital following a stroke and I thought she was going to pull through. I was overwhelmed by grief.
The unfulfilled ambition that continues to haunt you… To be at peace in the moment, where you quieten the mind from pushing you into the future.
The philosophy that underpins your life… Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
The order of service at your funeral… It would be for my friends to decide, but I expect to be cremated. I don’t own a home so I live on the move, but in my heart I’m a Londoner. So I guess my ashes should be scattered there, maybe in Green Park.
The way you want to be remembered… As someone who spent his whole career earning his living as a stroller player.
The Plug… My memoir Rare Stamps is published as an eBook by Escargot Books. www.escargot-books.com
