The Untold Truth Of The Late Ray Stevenson

On May 21, 2023, Ray Stevenson died at the age of 58. The tragic event rocked the entertainment industry, with many co-stars and friends posting heartfelt tributes to the Northern Irish actor. On Instagram, "Ahsoka" star Rosario Dawson shared several photos of her and Stevenson on set with the caption: "A giant of a man ... [Ray Stevenson], stunned and reeling from this tragic, devastating news. Gone too soon from this world. At a loss for words ... just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever ready and present smile. Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart."

After appearing in Antoine Fuqua's "King Arthur" in 2004, Stevenson became a mainstay of the film and TV business for almost two decades. He starred in major films such as "Punisher: War Zone," "The Three Musketeers," and "Thor," as well as popular series like "Dexter," "Rome," and "Black Sails." Yet the actor's road to stardom was anything but ordinary or linear in shape, as he arrived in the acting world rather late in comparison to many of his peers. That being said, he possessed an enthusiasm and appreciation for what he achieved, always being quick to share the plaudits with all those who had been a part of his acting journey.

In celebration of the actor's career and life, let's take a look back at the late Ray Stevenson.

Ask any actor who their favorite performer is and there will be several answers. Don't be surprised, though, if more than half the responses feature the names of acclaimed leading men like Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, and Paul Newman. As an actor cut from a different cloth, Ray Stevenson looked to a different set of thespians as inspirations.

"It was the likes of Lee Marvin, Gene Hackman," Stevenson told Backstage. "Never a bad performance, and brave and fearless within that caliber. It was never the young, hot leading man; it was men who I could identify with."

While impressed by Marvin and Hackman's performances, the actor stressed that it was the combination of other elements which helped these actors shine on screen. Stevenson believed actors are allowed to excel as performers when the right creative talent in other parts of the production is supportive and provides the necessary tools for success. To quote the horrid and cheesy corporate-approved term: "Teamwork makes the dream work."

From a notorious swashbuckling historical pirate to Marvel's most infamous gun-toting vigilante, Ray Stevenson was given the chance to bring a litany of characters to life in his storied career. However, like most actors, there's always a white whale — the one dream part he chased but never received the opportunity to make a reality.

In a 2008 interview with Collider, Stevenson admitted his love for a certain Shakespearean play in particular. "In a weird way — even though they never make good movies — there's a Shakespeare play I've always been intrigued by: 'Coriolanus,'" he said. "It's potentially one of the most potent and revealing scripts. I love the play. I'd love to do that as a movie one day."

Ironically, a film adaptation of "Coriolanus" arrived in 2011. Directed, produced, and starring Ralph Fiennes as Caius Martius Coriolanus, the movie received near-universal acclaim from reviewers, securing a 92% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, Stevenson wasn't part of the blockbuster cast, which included the likes of Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Chastain, and Brian Cox.

Ray Stevenson's most "punishing" role arrived in Lexi Alexander's "Punisher: War Zone." Released in 2008, this reboot boasts blood, guts, and more R-rated violence than the average superhero movie of that era. Stevenson dazzles as Frank Castle, embodying the version of the vigilante from the brutal "Punisher" comic book series written by Garth Ennis and featuring art by talented artists such as Lewis LaRosa and Leandro Fernández.

Unfortunately, "Punisher: War Zone" didn't light up the box office or inspire the critics to get skull tattoos on their biceps. It made only $10.2 million against a $35 million budget, while receiving a paltry 29% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the underwhelming financial and critical performance, the film developed into a cult classic years later. As a result, many fans craved a sequel, hoping it would happen somewhere down the line.

In a chat with Stevenson, The Action Elite writer David J. Moore said that he was dismayed that the actor never had a chance to return to the part of Castle. "So was I!" Stevenson agreed. "Write in and tell them that! I would in a heartbeat go back! I loved the storyline and the comic books that it was based on. It could definitely do with a sequel." Sadly, this never happened, as the Punisher rebooted on Netflix as a series, with "The Walking Dead" star Jon Bernthal cast as the titular character.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) kickstarted in May 2008 with the release of Jon Favreau's "Iron Man." While not considered a part of the official MCU, "Punisher: War Zone" arrived months later in December 2008. Considering Frank Castle's importance as a major character in the greater Marvel Universe, Ray Stevenson found himself in a precarious situation. Either his character would need to be incorporated in the MCU at some point, or he would need to be cast as someone else to appear in the franchise. The latter seemed highly unlikely, but it occurred in Kenneth Branagh's 2011 "Thor" movie, as Stevenson debuted as Volstagg — a member of Asgard's Warriors Three team.

Stevenson himself expressed surprise at how events unfolded to The A.V. Club. "What a great privilege from Marvel, because they have kind of an unwritten rule that once you play one of their major protagonists or characters, in order to maintain a certain degree of integrity for their audience, you don't get to do it again," he said. "But they did come back, and whether it was Ken Branagh's instigation or whatever, they agreed to allow me a shot at Volstagg."

While not a major role in the same vein as the Punisher, Volstagg appears in the first three "Thor" films, portrayed by Stevenson each time.

HBO's "Game of Thrones" didn't just become one of the most popular TV shows of all time, but it also changed the lives of the cast members, transforming them into household names and immortalizing them in the pantheon of TV greats. Of course, no one looked into a crystal ball and predicted the epic fantasy series' game-changing success when it first entered production. Consequently, many actors turned down roles on the show, and Ray Stevenson was one of them.

In 2015, Stevenson revealed to Movie.com that he had received the opportunity to join the "Game of Thrones" cast, but he said no. "I was offered [a role]," he said. "I also saw them before they even started, very early on. I would rather have been [cast] at the beginning."

Stevenson didn't disclose the part he was offered, presumably not to take away from the actual actor cast for the role instead. However, he added that it would have kept him busy for anywhere from four to six months, but he had already accepted playing Blackbeard on Starz's "Black Sails."

In showbiz, actors and directors receive all the praise when action scenes catch the eye and go full throttle. However, stunt performers are the unheralded heroes of cinema, as they perform the death-defying, dangerous sequences that make the movie (and the actors) look good for the viewers. As someone familiar with the action genre, Ray Stevenson encountered many stunt specialists across his various projects. Speaking to ComingSoon.net, he praised these daredevils for putting their bodies on the line for entertainment, finding the time to single out Rob Mars, who doubled for him in several movies.

Stevenson also discussed the interesting process between him and his stunt doubles, peeling back the curtain of movie magic to explain how the transition between actor and double occurs. "When you have a stuntman and this is his discipline," he said, "you go right up to the stunt itself and then act during the stunt, so you have this overlap, and I involve them in my process."

The Northern Irish-born actor expressed a high level of respect for what stunt teams do, adding how he developed friendships with many of them over the years and how they were pals behind the scenes too.

Jon M. Chu's "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" hit the big screen in 2013. While billed as the sequel to 2009's "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," the film largely focuses on a new group of heroes, led by Dwayne Johnson's Roadblock. In the opposite corner stands Ray Stevenson as Firefly, an explosive villain who works with the sinister Cobra. Naturally, as the two big men of the film, Roadblock and Firefly eventually battle each other in a clash of the titans.

During the filming of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," an encounter between Stevenson and Johnson left one of them a bloody mess. "The worst moment was when we filmed the first big fight," Stevenson told The Daily Record. "I spun round and accidentally caught him right across the bridge of his nose. I drew blood and I was worried. But Dwayne just shrugged it off. He was great about it and just said, 'These things happen.'"

Stevenson added how the intensity and physicality of their action scenes resulted in numerous bruises throughout production, while revealing that Johnson ended up popping him on the nose as well. In the world of pro wrestling, that's referred to as a receipt.

Due to his formidable height and rugged looks, Ray Stevenson often secured parts as physically formidable characters in mostly action-centric productions. The fact that so many fans still view him as the quintessential version of the Punisher demonstrates how he built up a powerful reputation as an on-screen tough guy.

Yet Stevenson also surprised viewers with his work in different genres when the opportunity arose. For example, he received praise for his turn as Roger Wesley in Adam McKay's cop comedy "The Other Guys," which also starred Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Speaking to The A.V. Club, Stevenson gushed about the experience of working with comedians like Ferrell, and revealed an interesting detail of how McKay called him up a few days before cameras started to roll to suggest his character utilize an Australian accent, with the actor duly obliging.

He also disclosed how he was a big fan of the comedy genre in general and enjoyed the opportunity to star in a funny feature. "I love doing comedy!" he said. "I always maintain that there's humor in everything."

Ray Stevenson's journey into the acting world veered far from the conventional path. He only realized at the age of 25 that it was something he wanted to pursue and take seriously, eventually graduating from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at 29. A notable talent, he worked his way up the ranks, reaching mainstream recognition thanks to his role as Dagonet in 2004's "King Arthur."

His big breakthrough came a year later after being cast in a lead role as Titus Pullo in the TV show "Rome." From there, his career took off and the film offers flooded in. Surprisingly, Stevenson wasn't a member of the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) until later in his acting career.

Speaking to Backstage, Stevenson revealed how "Rome" played a major part in him receiving his SAG-AFTRA card. "When 'Rome' came up, with patience," he said. "Over the course of two seasons I created quite a bit of interest, and that gave me my representation in the States and, ergo, started my movie career at 44 — which is almost unheard of." It's remarkable to consider how Stevenson worked on a blockbuster like "King Arthur" without being a part of the union.

Throughout his career, Ray Stevenson shared the screen with numerous big-name stars, such as Dwayne Johnson, Clive Owen, and Chris Hemsworth. As is the case in most lines of work, co-workers end up following each other on social media, occasionally interacting but also getting hard blocks if they rat you out to the bosses.

In 2015, Uproxx asked Stevenson who his favorite person to follow online was. The actor gave the name of a co-star. "A Japanese actor I worked with on 'Thor,' Asano Tadanobu," Stevenson said. "He's involved in three or four rock bands, has his own online fashion brand and includes photos of his latest looks from whatever project he's working on. And he posts sketch cartoons, which are great!"

In 2011's "Thor," Asano portrayed the part of Hogun, one of the Warriors Three, and he returned to the role for the next two sequels. The Japanese actor also appeared as Lord Kira in 2013's "47 Ronin" and the God of Thunder, Raiden, in 2021's "Mortal Kombat" movie.

From Titus Pullo in "Rome" to Danny Greene in "Kill the Irishman" and Blackbeard in "Black Sails," Ray Stevenson showed a knack for portraying historical figures on screen. As a result, the industry and audience associated him as an actor with period pieces, since he appeared to gravitate toward these types of projects more than others.

"I consider myself a historical nerd and clearly see the correlation between these historical figures and the massive changes that their world was undergoing with the spread of civilization and the reach of England," Stevenson told Geeks World Wide. In the same interview, the actor also revealed how he believed elements of history had been distorted by sensationalism and the one-sided views of the time, such as the pamphlets and stories of pirates like Blackbeard. However, as an actor researching the part, he would need to find the remnants of truth in these pieces and try to look at it from his character's unique perspective, coupled with the demands of the script.

One of Stevenson's last completed films before he died was the historical drama "Gateway to the West," which centers on the real-life event in which the Mongolian army invaded Hungary.

Ray Stevenson achieved a unique distinction in the "Star Wars" universe by portraying two different characters. The actor voiced Gar Saxon in the animated shows "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels," while also playing Baylan Skoll in the live-action "Ahsoka" series. The latter role sees Stevenson achieving every fan's biggest dream of wielding a lightsaber and going toe to toe with Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson).

Starring in "Ahsoka" filled Stevenson with an unbridled level of excitement as he realized the magnitude and importance of stepping into this beloved franchise. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, he revealed the intense preparation and dedication that went into his role as Baylan, while praising the environment and hard work that his collaborators put into making the Disney+ series come to life.

On a personal level, Stevenson couldn't help but get caught up in the moment when he picked up a lightsaber for the first time. "I must admit, the first time you turn a lightsaber on, you make the noise," he said. "[And then you're like] 'Oh, I'm so sorry.' Everybody does that, but you just can't help it!" In a poignant touch, the first episode of "Ahsoka" is dedicated to the memory of this great actor, whose always-welcome presence on the screen will be missed.

Occasionally in Ray Stevenson's career, even after he established himself in blockbusters, he popped up in unexpected films. One of his more out-of-the-blue roles came in 2018's action film "Accident Man," based on the comic written by Pat Mills and Tony Skinner and illustrated by numerous artists including Martin Edmond and Duke Mighten. The film stars Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon, an assassin who possesses the rare skill to make his hits look like accidents, while Stevenson portrays his mentor and father figure Big Ray. Adkins and Stevenson reprised their parts for the 2022 sequel "Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday."

As also the producer and co-writer of the films, Adkins revealed to The Hollywood News that the role of Big Ray was conceived with Stevenson in mind. "He was always on the list and he was the first guy we went out to and the first guy we got," Adkins said of Stevenson. "That was a great coup, and when Stu [Small] and I were writing the script, we knew that we had to write Big Ray for a great British actor and we need someone who is a great actor and someone who can sign on and help us finance the movie."

So, for those who watched and enjoyed the "Accident Man" franchise, everyone owes Stevenson a debt of gratitude for adding his star power to the project and helping it get the green light from the money people.

Thanks to his versatility as an actor and desire to spread his wings, Ray Stevenson secured parts in everything from historical pieces to big-budget blockbusters. This afforded him the opportunity to star alongside a wealth of extraordinary talent, such as Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo in "Thor," Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman in "The Book of Eli," and Samuel L. Jackson in "Big Game." Stevenson revealed to Topless Robot in the press tour for "Big Game" that he didn't get overawed by the world-renowned names he shared the screen with, since they were nothing but total professionals who performed to serve the movie — not their egos.

"It just appears to be such a great, warm, cuddly, teddy-bear feeling is the fact that the bigger they are, the more open and giving and consummately professional actors are — and there's fearlessness," he said, adding how these individuals weren't afraid to change things up in the middle of scenes to see what worked best for the movie. More importantly, they never tried to purposely outshine others, choosing to be collaborative actors and always looking to elevate the film in question.

Ray Stevenson never received a direct sequel to Lexi Alexander's "Punisher: War Zone." However, he still got another chance at running amok as Frank Castle, albeit in a more family friendly manner. Stevenson lent his voice to the animated version of the Punisher that appears in "The Super Hero Squad Show." He plays the character in the same gritty manner as he did in the live-action movie, leaving the other fun-loving heroes shocked at how intense he is. Undoubtedly, Stevenson's straight delivery adds to the comedic effect here, as it almost becomes a parody of Marvel's edgy antihero and his bloodlust for vengeance.

Speaking about the role to The A.V. Club, Stevenson opened up more about the experience. "It was strange," he said. "I went up to a studio somewhere in L.A. and voiced over all these lines. I haven't even seen it! But, yeah, apparently it's out there in the wonderful world."

While he may not have seen the fruits of his labor, he jumped at the opportunity to reprise the part of the Punisher. The actor also admitted he harbored a keen interest in doing more voice acting roles, stating that he did a few when he was younger and living in London. However, he recognized the timing may not have aligned with his movie and television career at the time.

The "Star Wars" universe appreciates synergy and symmetry. Since the new shows launched on Disney+, several voice actors from the animated series have returned to portray the live-action versions of their characters. For example, Katee Sackhoff reprises the role of Bo-Katan Kryze from "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" on "The Mandalorian," while Lars Mikkelsen brings Grand Admiral Thrawn from "Star Wars Rebels" to "Ahsoka."

Ray Stevenson believed he was set to play his character Gar Saxon from "The Clone Wars" and "Rebels" in "Ahsoka" as well. Speaking at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, Stevenson discussed what went through his mind when he learned about the new show. "When I got the call for ['Ahsoka'], they were so secretive," he said. "I thought, 'Gar? Really? When is this set?' I thought it was going to be that. Then I got to meet Dave [Filoni], and he says, 'Oh, no. We have a surprise.'"

Of course, it would have been a twist in the tale to see Saxon in the show since the character dies in "Legacy of Mandalore" ("Rebels" Season 3, Episode 16) and "Ahsoka" takes place much later in the continuity.

When actors are asked about their favorite performance, they'll likely tell the interviewer it's their current one — much the same way a musician always says their new song or album is their best work ever. Ray Stevenson decided on a different approach when he spoke to journalist Arthur Kade during the press tour for "Black Sails." Instead of declaring the pirate series as his greatest accomplishment, Stevenson cited "Rome" — not only because it was the project that kickstarted his career to superstardom but also for several personal reasons.

"It has to be 'Rome,'" he said. "That was one of the major, major periods of my life. It turned my life around. I found my partner, who was my landlady." Stevenson joked about how Elisabetta Caraccia raised his rent even after they became a couple while discussing how this meeting led to them living together, having three children, and a dog as well.

He also revealed how "Rome" was the first project that got him to look at acting from an entirely different perspective. Instead of second-guessing himself or trying too hard to think of what was next, he knuckled down and focused on what was in front of him. For him, this changed the way he approached the profession from there on out.

In "Dexter" Season 7, Ray Stevenson turns in a memorable performance as the mobster Isaak Sirko, who seeks revenge on Dexter Morgan for killing his lover, Viktor Baskov. Undeniably, it's a different kind of role compared to what fans were used to seeing Stevenson portray, which is exactly the reason the actor took it in the first place.

In an interview with Yahoo, Stevenson revealed how he came to be involved in "Dexter." He discussed how he received a call from "Dexter" producer and writer Scott Buck, who had previously worked with the actor on "Rome." Buck explained how the Sirko character would fit into the overall story as well as his underlying motivations — all of which fascinated Stevenson.

"There's always been a propensity [in TV shows and movies], especially involving figures from the underworld when they're homosexuals, that they always have to have some sort of deviant quality," Stevenson said. "[Sirko] was a cold, stone mobster, a killer, but it doesn't mean that he's sexually deviant. He's homosexual, and he's had to keep it a secret, but he's basically a man whose heart has been ripped out of his body." Stevenson added how Sirko gave up everything — including his life in the end — in his quest for vengeance because he loved Baskov with all his heart.

Considering Ray Stevenson's affinity for historical dramas, was anyone really surprised when he was eventually cast as the wandering sailor Othere in "Vikings"? The actor shows up as Othere in 11 episodes of Season 6 of the fan-favorite show. Of course, Stevenson possessed some experience for the role, having portrayed a space Viking in the form of the Asgardian Volstagg in the MCU.

However, as Stevenson revealed to journalist Matt J. Horn while discussing the topic of "Thor," he held a closer connection to the world of Vikings than most people may realize. "As for the Norse legends — I had my formative years in the north-east [sic] of England — my father's homeland of Northumberland," he said. "A place littered with Vikings and Norse mythology. Indeed, my father would often tell me that the derivative of my surname 'Stevenson' was in fact 'Svenson', a fine old Viking name."

Ray Stevenson's death left a distinct mark on his former co-stars, especially his fellow "Ahsoka" castmates, since the Disney+ series was one of his final projects before his passing. In fact, "Ahsoka" even includes a special tribute to Stevenson in the credits of the first episode, "Part One: Master and Apprentice."

Rosario Dawson remembered Stevenson in a discussion with People. She spoke positively of his formidable performance as Baylan Skoll on the show, while also finding the time to praise him as a special and kind human being.

"He'd have these crystals that had all these different meanings from where, you know, he felt like spiritually, where he came from and what he wanted to be resonating," she said. "And we'd sit and have these conversations about the divine feminine." Dawson added how he was a fascinating and thoughtful individual to talk to, as he loved to discuss "his family and philosophies."

Most actors love to talk about how acting is a calling — something more than a profession — and how they do it for artistic value and merit. Then, there are others who are more open and transparent, admitting how they also get caught up in the glitz and glamor of it as well as the benefits of stardom, such as seeing action figures based on the characters they portray. Ray Stevenson was no different, as he admitted to an interesting ambition he had for his career.

In an interview with Build during the press tour for "The Transporter Refueled," Stevenson said, "It was a dream of mine one day to have an action figure." He questioned how it was possible for someone to not be excited about it, while also expressing his delight at having three figurines of his likeness out in the world.

The actor joked that he couldn't get too carried away with it, though, since his children brought him back down to Earth. He revealed that his kids had ripped off the heads of his action figures, with one of them replacing his head with a Lego figure. Stevenson didn't reveal which figure his child did this to, but he still found the funny side of it.