TERENCE STAMP (Terry Stricter) was born in Bow, London. His motion picture debut was in Peter Ustinov's 1962 film adaption of Herman Melville's Billy Bud. Stamp's portrayal of the title character brought him not only an Academy Award® nomination, but also international attention.

After his success in Billy Bud, Stamp collaborated with some of the cinema's most revered filmmakers. He appeared in William Wyler's adaption of John Fowles' The Collector, opposite Samantha Eggar, and in Modesty Blaise for director Joseph Losey and producer Joe Janni. Stamp reteamed with producer Janni for two more projects: John Schlesinger's adaption of Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd starring Julie Christie, and Ken Loach's first feature film Poor Cow.

Stamp then journeyed to Italy to star in Federico Fellini's Spirits of the Dead. Stamp made Italy his home for several years, during which time his film work included

a role in Pier Paolo Passolini's Theorema, opposite Silvana Magano.

His subsequent film credits included Alan Cooke's The Mind of Mr. Soames, Richard Donner's Superman and Richard Lester's Superman II (as Kryptonian supervillain General Zod), Peter Brooks' Meetings With Remarkable Men, Stephen Frears' The Hit, Richard Franklin's Link, Ivan Reitman's Legal Eagles, Michael Cimino's The Sicilian and Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Prince of Shadows, in which the actor starred for director Pilar Miro, was awarded the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Stamp began his fourth decade as an actor with The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, wearing some of the choicest of Lizzy Gardiner's Academy Award® -winning costumes, and starring with Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving for director Stephan Elliot.

Stamp may currently be seen in George Lucas' Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace and playing the title role in Steven Soderbergh's latest film The Limey, which premiered at the recent Cannes Film Festival to great acclaim.

In addition to his acting career, Stamp is an accomplished writer and author. He has published three volumes of his memoirs, including Stamp Album (written in tribute to his late mother), a novel and a cookbook (co-written with Elizabeth Buxton, to complement their organic food range which provides a viable alternative to those who are wheat or dairy-intolerant).