Ben Cross, best known for his portrayal of British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in ‘Chariots of Fire’ and Sarek in the resume ‘Star Trek’ in 2009, died on 18 August. He was 72.
Cross took up his last role as Cardinal Mathews in Lionsgate’s “The Devil’s Light” ten days ago. The veteran screen and stage star died Tuesday in Vienna after a brief illness, his agent Ed Smith confirmed Variation.
Cross was born Harry Bernard Cross in London in 1947. He started performing at a young age, and participated in grammar school productions, but left school to work as a window cleaner, waiter and carpenter.
His career took a turn at the age of 22, when he was accepted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Cross graduated with the actress’ prestigious Vanbrugh Award for Performance of the Year and made his screen debut on a 1976 World War II thriller “A Bridge Too Far.”
His path to international stardom began in 1978, with his portrayal of Billy Flynn, a bad lawyer, in the play “Chicago.” He was soon cast in the British classic “Chariots of Fire,” along with Ian Charleson, Ian Holm and John Gielgud. For their award-winning achievements as British track and field athletes, Cross and co-star Charleson both won the 1981 most prestigious artist of the Variety Club Awards.
Cross picked up several screen projects, including BBC drama “The Citadel,” HBO spy film “Steal the Sky” and NBC miniseries “Twist of Fate.” He also made appearances on stage in John Guare’s play “Lydia Breeze” and the revival of “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.”
In 1995, Cross was cast as Prince Malagant in Columbia Pictures’ action film “First Knight”, and in 2007 he starred as Vulcan astrophysicist Sarek in the reboot “Star Trek” directed and produced by JJ Abrams .
His recent appearances include the CW series “Pandora” and 2018 feature film “The Hurricane Heist.” Netflix’s “Last Letter from Your Lover,” starring Cross starring Shailene Woodley and Felicity Jones, is currently in the mail, and the actor has also been cast in films in development including “Resilient 3D” and “Liberty” . “
Cross is survived by his wife Deyana Boneva Cross and two children, Lauren and Theo.
