"Suddenly, I feel very, very good. It'll pass, it'll pass."
July 25, 2022 6:22 AM Subscribe
David Warner, actor, has passed, age 80. David Hattersley Warner was born July 29, 1941 in Manchester, England, to Ada Doreen (Hattersley) and Herbert Simon Warner. He had been called the finest Hamlet of his generation, but a "disastrous" staging of I, Claudius in 1973 left him with terrible stage fright, but the Royal Shakespeare Company's loss was a boon to a number of productions, as it brought him to film, television and voice acting.
Amongst his best-known parts are doomed photographer Keith Jennings in The Omen, the twin parts of Sark and Dillinger in TRON, his portrayal of Dr. John Leslie Stevenson (aka Jack the Ripper) in Time After Time, his manifestation as Evil Genius in Time Bandits, and his chillingly affable portrayal of a torturer on Star Trek: The Next Generation (he would play three different characters in Star Trek movies and TV shows, as well as showing his kind side on Babylon 5).
He also did a great deal of voice work in cartoons, including Ra's al Ghul in Batman: The Animated Series, and a number of baddies in shows like Freakazoid.
In 2005, he returned to the stage after 40 years, to play King Lear.
fuck cancer.
Amongst his best-known parts are doomed photographer Keith Jennings in The Omen, the twin parts of Sark and Dillinger in TRON, his portrayal of Dr. John Leslie Stevenson (aka Jack the Ripper) in Time After Time, his manifestation as Evil Genius in Time Bandits, and his chillingly affable portrayal of a torturer on Star Trek: The Next Generation (he would play three different characters in Star Trek movies and TV shows, as well as showing his kind side on Babylon 5).
He also did a great deal of voice work in cartoons, including Ra's al Ghul in Batman: The Animated Series, and a number of baddies in shows like Freakazoid.
In 2005, he returned to the stage after 40 years, to play King Lear.
fuck cancer.
Warner always brought class to his roles, especially the villainous ones. Time After Time is one of my favorite movies, as is Time Bandits of course. Warner left behind a hell of a cinematic legacy.
posted by Gelatin at 6:35 AM on July 25, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 6:35 AM on July 25, 2022 [8 favorites]
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posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 6:36 AM on July 25, 2022
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 6:36 AM on July 25, 2022
I saw Star Trek VI in a theater in L.A., full of cineastes, and you could tell who recognized who said "You've not experienced Shakespeare until you have read him in the original Klingon" by who laughed at it twice.
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posted by Etrigan at 6:37 AM on July 25, 2022 [12 favorites]
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posted by Etrigan at 6:37 AM on July 25, 2022 [12 favorites]
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posted by Athanassiel at 6:46 AM on July 25, 2022
posted by Athanassiel at 6:46 AM on July 25, 2022
What is the story regarding I, Claudius? It sounds fascinating! Anyone know?
posted by scolbath at 6:49 AM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by scolbath at 6:49 AM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
Scolbath: I looked and couldn't find much more about it, but I hope someone does!
posted by mephron at 6:55 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mephron at 6:55 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 7:07 AM on July 25, 2022
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 7:07 AM on July 25, 2022
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posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 7:13 AM on July 25, 2022
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 7:13 AM on July 25, 2022
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posted by Gadgetenvy at 7:14 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Gadgetenvy at 7:14 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Evil : Oh, Benson... Dear Benson, you are so mercifully free of the ravages of intelligence.
Benson : Oh, you say such nice things, Master.
Evil : Yes I know, I'm sorry!
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posted by JustSayNoDawg at 7:20 AM on July 25, 2022 [17 favorites]
Benson : Oh, you say such nice things, Master.
Evil : Yes I know, I'm sorry!
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posted by JustSayNoDawg at 7:20 AM on July 25, 2022 [17 favorites]
What a career, IMDB lists 228 credits. He was clearly (and rightly) in demand portraying authority figures - I count 18 Doctor/"Dr."s, 8 Professors, 8 Lords, 7 "Sir"s, 4 Admirals, as well as 3 Reverends, an "Evil Clergyman", a Rabbi and a Spirit of the Tree. I think I might see if I can find some of these to watch.
posted by Slogby at 7:32 AM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Slogby at 7:32 AM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
I have always *loved* seeing him show up in a movie or television program.
The first time I saw him was in Nightwing, which probably does not deserve the cult-status revival wikipedia claims for it. But he took the role just seriously enough and was memorable.
My favorite YES moment in his filmography was his pitch-perfect turn as Titanic henchman Spicer Lovejoy (what a name!). I saw him take Jack's measure and was like, buddy, watch out for this guy. Ruthless and entirely unprincipled.
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:35 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
The first time I saw him was in Nightwing, which probably does not deserve the cult-status revival wikipedia claims for it. But he took the role just seriously enough and was memorable.
My favorite YES moment in his filmography was his pitch-perfect turn as Titanic henchman Spicer Lovejoy (what a name!). I saw him take Jack's measure and was like, buddy, watch out for this guy. Ruthless and entirely unprincipled.
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:35 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
End of line.
He wasn't just great in Tron but notable for being That Guy in so many films and mid-budget TV shows, always embracing the role with full zeal no matter how terrible the writing. Honestly surprised Gen Xers never got him to appear on Robot Chicken or maybe The Orville.
posted by Nelson at 7:36 AM on July 25, 2022 [10 favorites]
He wasn't just great in Tron but notable for being That Guy in so many films and mid-budget TV shows, always embracing the role with full zeal no matter how terrible the writing. Honestly surprised Gen Xers never got him to appear on Robot Chicken or maybe The Orville.
posted by Nelson at 7:36 AM on July 25, 2022 [10 favorites]
If you were of a certain age in the early 90s, David Warner basically moved into your head rent-free. Ninja Turtles 2, Star Treks 5 and 6, Batman The Animated Series...even Quest of the Delta Knights! (Although that wouldn't become apparent until later.)
What an entertaining body of work he leaves behind. Who could ask for anything more?
posted by greenland at 7:42 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
What an entertaining body of work he leaves behind. Who could ask for anything more?
posted by greenland at 7:42 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
A consummate go-to villain (I suspect I first saw him as Jack the Ripper in Time After Time). I am sorry to see him go; safe home.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:56 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:56 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
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He absolutely owned roles that made a big impression on me when I was young, particularly Evil in Time Bandits.
(It's unfair that the first thing I remember knowing his name from was Quest of the Delta Knights. Still, my favorite kind of actor is the one who shows up and absolutely delivers, no matter how terrible the movie, and he did that.)
posted by Countess Elena at 8:06 AM on July 25, 2022 [5 favorites]
He absolutely owned roles that made a big impression on me when I was young, particularly Evil in Time Bandits.
(It's unfair that the first thing I remember knowing his name from was Quest of the Delta Knights. Still, my favorite kind of actor is the one who shows up and absolutely delivers, no matter how terrible the movie, and he did that.)
posted by Countess Elena at 8:06 AM on July 25, 2022 [5 favorites]
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posted by lumpenprole at 8:38 AM on July 25, 2022
posted by lumpenprole at 8:38 AM on July 25, 2022
When I have understanding of computers, I shall be the Supreme Being!
posted by Nelson at 8:48 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Nelson at 8:48 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
Aw, boo. He was one of those actors whom I always liked in whatever villainous role he found himself in, and I am sorry that he is no more.
"Lasers, day one!"
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posted by Kitteh at 8:50 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
"Lasers, day one!"
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posted by Kitteh at 8:50 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
Gee, the week when I started rewatching Freakazoid…. The Lobe…
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posted by njohnson23 at 8:51 AM on July 25, 2022
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posted by njohnson23 at 8:51 AM on July 25, 2022
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I saw him speak at a couple of geek conventions, and once as a convention gopher (running a green room) I was privileged to get him a cup of tea.
He was the nicest, most down to earth, Gentleman.
Always so generous with his time.
posted by Faintdreams at 8:54 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
I saw him speak at a couple of geek conventions, and once as a convention gopher (running a green room) I was privileged to get him a cup of tea.
He was the nicest, most down to earth, Gentleman.
Always so generous with his time.
posted by Faintdreams at 8:54 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
The post title is my favorite line, and he delivers it perfectly.
posted by schoolgirl report at 9:11 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by schoolgirl report at 9:11 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 9:28 AM on July 25, 2022
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 9:28 AM on July 25, 2022
Jon Irenicus was a badass.
posted by Cyrano at 9:30 AM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Cyrano at 9:30 AM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
I have long maintained that Time Bandits is a perfect film for "tween" kids. It's just scary and irreverent enough to not feel like it's "babyish", but not too scary or adult. And Warner's performance as Evil is one of the reasons why - he's scary and imposing, but seasoned with just enough humor and buffoonery to keep things from being too much.
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posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:41 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
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posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:41 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
Bloody hell, he was the lead in Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966; aka Morgan!). I remember watching this as a far-too-young kid and being mostly disturbed by the main character's antics.
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posted by scruss at 10:36 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by scruss at 10:36 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
A really obscure but terrific role was his voice acting of the chief antagonist -- OK, villain, boss, whatever -- in Baldur's Gate 2, widely regarded as the best computer RPG of all time. His portrayal of Jon Irenicus is so far above anything in a game at that time and probably since. I played through the game three times and never, ever clicked past any of his dialogue.
posted by martin q blank at 10:57 AM on July 25, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by martin q blank at 10:57 AM on July 25, 2022 [8 favorites]
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posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:03 AM on July 25, 2022
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:03 AM on July 25, 2022
Came in to express my love for his Jon Irenicus in Baldur's Gate 2, but I see it's been done for me already. One of the best video game villains ever, and it's all down to David Warner's voice.
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posted by Mr. Bad Example at 11:05 AM on July 25, 2022 [7 favorites]
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posted by Mr. Bad Example at 11:05 AM on July 25, 2022 [7 favorites]
The unsuccessful I Claudius was 1972. It had quite a pedigree, directed by Tony Richardson from a stage adaptation by John Mortimer. I was able to find a couple of paragraphs in the NYT about it.
It's harder to find an ex planation for the failure of “I, Claudius,” an adaptation of Robert Graves's historical novel about the lame, lovable Roman Emperor scripted by John Mortimer, directed by Tony Richardson and starring David Warner in the title role. “Claudius doesn't want it made,” was Graves's explanation of the curious accidents which prevented completion of the pre‐war film version with Charles Laughton. Claudius obviously still doesn't.
Mortimer's script, salvaged from a second ill fated attempt to film the story, is well below the usual level of his stage writing, reducing the lives of the Caesars to a “Lion in Winter” mixture of palace‐stair gossip and facetious anachronism. Richardson's direction seems to have limited itself to a few splashy crowd effects and bared breasts. Of its many promises, the only one the production keeps is the Claudius of David Warner. Looking like the poet Wordsworth in silvery middle age, and apparently as incapable of a false emotion, he makes the stuttering, misshapen Emperor a figure of moving, stoical integrity.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 11:05 AM on July 25, 2022 [6 favorites]
It's harder to find an ex planation for the failure of “I, Claudius,” an adaptation of Robert Graves's historical novel about the lame, lovable Roman Emperor scripted by John Mortimer, directed by Tony Richardson and starring David Warner in the title role. “Claudius doesn't want it made,” was Graves's explanation of the curious accidents which prevented completion of the pre‐war film version with Charles Laughton. Claudius obviously still doesn't.
Mortimer's script, salvaged from a second ill fated attempt to film the story, is well below the usual level of his stage writing, reducing the lives of the Caesars to a “Lion in Winter” mixture of palace‐stair gossip and facetious anachronism. Richardson's direction seems to have limited itself to a few splashy crowd effects and bared breasts. Of its many promises, the only one the production keeps is the Claudius of David Warner. Looking like the poet Wordsworth in silvery middle age, and apparently as incapable of a false emotion, he makes the stuttering, misshapen Emperor a figure of moving, stoical integrity.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 11:05 AM on July 25, 2022 [6 favorites]
He was also the dastardly Thomas Eckhardt in S2 of Twin Peaks, rival and former friend of Andrew Packer.
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:14 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:14 AM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
"A consummate go-to villain" - also made a cheesily heroic role work in Babylon-5.
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posted by doctornemo at 11:23 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by doctornemo at 11:23 AM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
"As you know, my research has advanced to a point where I can put her mind into the body of a gorilla."
The slideshow linked in the Guardian obit has this gem: Ian Holm, Ian Richardson and David Warner at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford in September 1963.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:48 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
The slideshow linked in the Guardian obit has this gem: Ian Holm, Ian Richardson and David Warner at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford in September 1963.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:48 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
One of the first movies I ever saw multiple times in a theatre was The Omen, and most of that was because I had such a crush on Warner's character. I was still fairly young, so the whole tone of the movie really fucked me up, but it was his death scene that really did a number on me emotionally. I forever crushed on him, though, no matter how evil his characters might have been--but I loved it when he got to play his gentler side. What a loss.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:37 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:37 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
He was such a great character actor. His, all too brief, bits in *The Man with Two Brains* are just so fun and a wonderful dry and yet wacky comic performance. I grew up just knowing that voice and was always excited to see him in something. Even if it was a bit part in something really bad like *The Unnameable II*. Condolences to his friends and family.
posted by Ignorantsavage at 1:06 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Ignorantsavage at 1:06 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
Quite a range of evil, from the quiet menace of saying "I'm home" in Time After Time, to spitting out the words "SLUGS!" in Time Bandits.
posted by stannate at 2:32 PM on July 25, 2022
posted by stannate at 2:32 PM on July 25, 2022
First became aware of him playing Reinhard Heydrich in the Holocaust miniseries. Also memorable as the voice of The Machine in a radio version NPR did of E.M.Forster's prescient The Machine Stops (part of their 2000x series, and it's available for download at the Internet Archive).
posted by Rash at 2:52 PM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Rash at 2:52 PM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Nipples for men?!
He was so much one of "oh it's THAT GUY" guys for me... I'm glad I was alive while he was creating art.
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posted by hippybear at 3:25 PM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
He was so much one of "oh it's THAT GUY" guys for me... I'm glad I was alive while he was creating art.
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posted by hippybear at 3:25 PM on July 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
I liked this Youtube career retrospective: David Warner is a better class of villain.
(from 2020, as opposed to the bunch of view-chasing rush jobs that seem to have popped-up there today)
posted by Slogby at 3:29 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
(from 2020, as opposed to the bunch of view-chasing rush jobs that seem to have popped-up there today)
posted by Slogby at 3:29 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
Farewell to one of the great chins of acting.
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:34 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:34 PM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
My kind of headline: "Veteran British actor David Warner, star of The Omen and Tron, dies aged 80"
Tron was probably the first movie I saw more than once.
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posted by rhizome at 3:48 PM on July 25, 2022
Tron was probably the first movie I saw more than once.
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posted by rhizome at 3:48 PM on July 25, 2022
"Greetings. The Master Control Program has chosen you to serve your system on the Game Grid. Those of you who continue to profess a belief in the Users will receive the standard substandard training which will result in your eventual elimination. Those of you who renounce this superstitious and hysterical belief will be eligible to join the warrior elite of the MCP. You will each receive an identity disc."
Also, he played the Head of the Assassin's Guild in a TV production of Pratchett's "Hogfather".
posted by hearthpig at 3:49 PM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
Also, he played the Head of the Assassin's Guild in a TV production of Pratchett's "Hogfather".
posted by hearthpig at 3:49 PM on July 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
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posted by Mister Moofoo at 4:23 PM on July 25, 2022
posted by Mister Moofoo at 4:23 PM on July 25, 2022
a "disastrous" staging of I, Claudius in 1973 left him with terrible stage fright,
Until (now). On Friday, previews begin for The Feast of Snails at the Lyric Shaftesbury, a new play by Icelandic writer Olaf Olafsson, with Warner as its star. It seems a strange comeback for a man still regarded as the greatest Hamlet of the 1960s. But in the pub between rehearsals, the silver-haired, strangely professorial Warner says it is the kind of role he has been longing for. His character, a tycoon eating a gourmet dinner alone in his mansion, is "eccentric, outgoing, outspoken and a bit humorous".
I always wanted to see who could stare another down. David Warner or Bill Nighy.
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posted by clavdivs at 4:34 PM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
Until (now). On Friday, previews begin for The Feast of Snails at the Lyric Shaftesbury, a new play by Icelandic writer Olaf Olafsson, with Warner as its star. It seems a strange comeback for a man still regarded as the greatest Hamlet of the 1960s. But in the pub between rehearsals, the silver-haired, strangely professorial Warner says it is the kind of role he has been longing for. His character, a tycoon eating a gourmet dinner alone in his mansion, is "eccentric, outgoing, outspoken and a bit humorous".
I always wanted to see who could stare another down. David Warner or Bill Nighy.
⚫
posted by clavdivs at 4:34 PM on July 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
He often worked on various Sam Peckinpah projects; as a cynical field officer on the gritty 'Cross of Iron' (1977).
He had a starring role as a disgruntled accountant who turns to violence in 'Office Party' (1988).
posted by ovvl at 4:47 PM on July 25, 2022
He had a starring role as a disgruntled accountant who turns to violence in 'Office Party' (1988).
posted by ovvl at 4:47 PM on July 25, 2022
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posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 7:15 PM on July 25, 2022
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 7:15 PM on July 25, 2022
I'll always remember him most fondly for Time Bandits, for Tron, and for Irenicus in Baldur's Gate II. But as a Transformers nerd, I will always be thankful that his voice was Corey Burton's inspiration for voicing the Decepticon Shockwave.
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posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 9:06 PM on July 25, 2022
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posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 9:06 PM on July 25, 2022
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posted by dannyboybell at 5:06 AM on July 26, 2022
posted by dannyboybell at 5:06 AM on July 26, 2022
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posted by dbiedny at 6:39 AM on July 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by dbiedny at 6:39 AM on July 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Definitely one of cinema's great villains, but I'll also remember him as Bob Cratchit in the 1984 version of A Christmas Carol, which is hands down my favorite adaptation of the story.
posted by MrBadExample at 3:34 PM on July 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by MrBadExample at 3:34 PM on July 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 9:26 AM on August 3, 2022
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 9:26 AM on August 3, 2022
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posted by giltay at 6:31 AM on July 25, 2022 [3 favorites]