'Titanic' Actor David Warner's Cause of Death, Revealed

David Warner, an accomplished British actor whose credits varied from Shakespearean tragedies to sci-fi cult masterpieces, died at the age of 80.

Warner was frequently cast as a villain, with roles in the 1971 psychological thriller 'Straw Dogs,' the 1976 horror classic 'The Omen,' and the 1979 time-travel adventure 'Time After Time,' in which he played Jack the Ripper, and the 1997 blockbuster 'Titanic,' in which he played the malicious valet Spicer Lovejoy.

What Caused David Warner's Death?

His family announced in a statement that he died of a cancer-related ailment at Denville Hall, a retirement home for performers.

Warner trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and rose through the ranks of the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing roles such as King Henry VI and King Richard II. His 1965 performance in the title role of 'Hamlet' for the company, directed by Peter Hall, was regarded as one of the best of his generation.

According to Gregor Doran, the RSC's retired creative director, Warner's Hamlet, acted as a troubled student, seemed the embodiment of 1960's youth, and captured the rebellious spirit of a volatile period.

Warner also appeared in Hall's 1968 film adaptation of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' alongside Helen Mirren and Diana Rigg. Despite his fame as a theater actor, Warner preferred film and television work for many years due to stage shyness, as per AP News.

Although Warner portrayed a broad range of characters, he may be most known for his nasty portrayals. He played Jack the Ripper in 'Time After Time' in 1979, and Evil Genius two years later in 'Time Bandits.' He was Flynn's antagonist in both the physical and virtual worlds in 'TRON,' the 1982 film in which Jeff Bridges' character, Kevin Flynn, gets transferred into the inside of a computer.

Warner was Flynn's antagonist in both the physical and virtual worlds in 'TRON,' the 1982 thriller in which Jeff Bridges' character, Kevin Flynn, gets transferred into the inside of a computer.

Some performers have a very short run of success, but Mr. Warner was employed for an unusually long time. In his first full decade in cinema and television, the 1970s, he had over two dozen credits; in the 1990s, he had over 80. He possessed a visage that appeared to adapt to practically any situation, whether anonymity or intricacy was required.

Peter Hall, the creative director of the Royal Shakespeare Company at the time, was responsible for elevating the young Warner to theatrical prominence by putting him in many high-profile parts, including the lead in 'Hamlet' in 1965. Warner played the character in a far different way than theatergoers were accustomed to, and critics were split. Mark Gardner of the Birmingham Sunday Mercury, England, was a fan, according to New York Times.

Fans, Filmmakers Pay Tribute to David Warner

Following the actor's death, fans and filmmakers alike rushed to social media to express their admiration for his work and debate their favorite of his numerous parts.

Throughout a six-decade career, Warner appeared in films such as 'Titanic,' 'The Omen,' 'Tron,' 'Time Bandits,' and many more, as well as celebrated TV shows such as 'Twin Peaks' and 'Penny Dreadful.'

Farran Nehme, a film critic, particularly highlighted Warner's cooperation with maverick filmmaker Sam Peckinpah on films like 'Straw Dogs'.

Journalist Emma Burnell hailed Warner's chilling performance on David Lynch's acclaimed surrealist crime thriller 'Twin Peaks'. Warner played ambitious South African businessman Thomas Eckhardt in 12 episodes of the show's second season.

Throughout his career, film critic and editor Eric Goldman has praised Warner's penchant for sillier parts and genre films. In addition to his role as the villain Sark in Disney's revolutionary VFX-driven cult film 'Tron'.

Many filmmakers and performers who were affected by Warner's work lamented his death, including Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and acclaimed British director Edgar Wright, Newsweek via MSN reported.

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