Actor David Warner, who is best known to Disney fans from roles in “Tron” and “Mary Poppins Returns,” has passed away from a cancer-related illness at 80.
His Beginnings
Warner was born in England in 1941, and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
He made his stage debut in 1962, then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company with whom he played Henry VI in “The War of Roses” – a role he also played in the BBC series adaptation in 1965.
In 1966, he received a nomination for BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the film, “Morgan, A Suitable Case for Treatment.”
His Disney Roles
In 1982, he played the triple roles of Ed Dillinger, Sark, and Master Control Program in the Disney film, “TRON,” which just celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
Other Disney-related roles included: the Archmage in “Gargoyles,” which ran from 1994-1997; the narrator in 1997’s “Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin”; and as Lord Angstrom in 2 episodes of “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command” in 2000.
In 2018, he appeared as Admiral Boom in Walt Disney Pictures’ “Mary Poppins Returns,” which would end up being his last physical role (he did one voice role after).
Other Roles
Warner has over 225 credits on IMDB. Some of his best known roles are as Spicer Lovejoy in “Titanic,” as the Evil Genius in “Time Bandits,” as Bob Cratchit in 1984’s “A Christmas Carol,” and as Keith Jennings in “The Omen.”
He also played three different roles in the Star Trek universe: as St. John Talbot in “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier,” as Chancellor Gorkon in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” and as Gul Madred in the series “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
His Passing
His family confirmed his passing in a statement that said the actor had been ill for the past year and a half.
“Over the past 18 months he approached his diagnosis with a characteristic grace and dignity. He will be missed hugely by us.”
I was sorry to hear this. While I’ve seen him in lots of things over the years, for me, I always connect him with Bob Cratchit and A Christmas Carol, which I’ve watched many, many, many times over the years.
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