Ray Stevenson Remembered By Famous Friends After Unexpected Death

Ray Stevenson, an actor known for intense performances in projects like Rome, Vikings, Dexter, and Thor, among many others, died on May 21 at the age of 58.

Now, the star's friends in the industry and sharing their reactions to the tragic news and paying tribute to Stevenson.

Action actor Scott Adkins, who starred alongside Stevenson in Accident Man in 2018 and again in the 2022 sequel, Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday, wrote about the news on Twitter.

Adkins said, "I’m shocked and saddened by the tragic news that a great actor and my good friend Ray Stevenson has passed away. I will miss you Big Ray! Life is short so make the most of it people. #RIP #RayStevenson."

Stevenson starred as Scott Buxton in 2022's hit film RRR, and the official Twitter account for the movie wrote, "What shocking news for all of us on the team! Rest in peace, Ray Stevenson. You will stay in our hearts forever, SIR SCOTT."

Rome star James Purefoy shared a bit of what he was feeling after hearing of Stevenson's death: "So sad to hear the news that Ray Stevenson, our Pullo in Rome, has passed away. A brilliant, gutsy, larger-than-life actor who filled every part he played right up to the brim. My thoughts are with his family, his lovely wife Betta and their beautiful kids. What a loss."

It seems like Stevenson made a great impression on everyone he met, no matter how long they knew each other, as James Gunn wrote, "Damn. So sorry to hear about the passing, far too young, of Ray Stevenson. I only knew him a little from shooting post-credits of Thor 2 & a couple interactions at events, but we had some good laughs & he was a joy to work with. His friends & family are in my heart today."

Composer Bear McCreary, who wrote music to accompany Stevenson's performance in Black Sails, shared a kind tribute to him, saying, "I'm shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Ray Stevenson. I was honored to write him a theme for his mesmerizingly unforgettable Blackbeard on #BlackSails. What a talent! #RIP."

Even someone who worked with Stevenson 30 years ago, as English actor Matthew Lewis–most well-known for playing Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter film series–is feeling the loss.

He tweeted, "This is so sad. Ray played my Dad in the first thing I ever did on TV. Almost 30 years ago. A proper actor with a fascinating career and I couldn’t have dreamed of a better first experience in this ridiculous industry. RIP Ray x."

Kiner Music, the composers for what will be one of Stevenson's last-ever projects, the Star Wars series Ahsoka, also paid tribute to the actor.

They earnestly wrote, "Gut punch this morning learning Ray Stevenson passed away. His truly haunting performance in Ahsoka has a gravity that stunned us all. A great loss of a veteran artist and the craft is poorer for his absence."

Stevenson passed away at a hospital on the island of Ischia, where he was shooting his next film, Cassino in Ischia, when he reportedly "suffered an illness that required hospitalization."

Although his reps at Independent Talent confirmed the news of his passing, a cause of death has not been shared yet.

While the status of Cassino in Ischia is currently unclear, fans will be able to see Stevenson as Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka this August, and he will also appear in the film Gateway to the West later this year.