Irish actor Ray Stevenson, known for his roles across TV and film, has died at the age of 58.
Stevenson, born in Lisburn, Antrim, was well regarded as an actor both on the big screen and small starring in HBO's critically-acclaimed drama Rome as well as films such as Punisher: War Zone and Marvel's Thor franchise.
The actor was reportedly hospitalised on Saturday in Italy after falling ill.
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Stevenson who was set to appear in the upcoming Star Wars TV series, Ahsoka, passed away on Sunday, although the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica said Stevenson, who passed away just four days before his 59th birthday, died at Rizzoli Hospital on the Italian island of Ischia, where he had been filming a new movie titled Cassino in Ischia.
Tributes have poured in for the Irish-born actor, with Stevenson's Rome co-star James Purefoy writing on social media: "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."
British actor Scott Adkins, who starred alongside Stevenson in the 2018 action thriller Accident Man, also paid tribute to the revered actor on Twitter, posting: "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."
Born in Lisburn in 1964, Stevenson’s father was a pilot in the Royal Air Force and his mother is Irish. At the age of eight, he moved to England with his family at the age of eight, settling in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
He later took up acting at the age of 25 and is a graduate of Bristol’s Old Vic Theatre School, beginning his career appearing on TV shows in the 1990s before he landed his first major film role in Antoine Fuqua’s 2004’s adventure movie King Arthur.
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