British actor Nigel Terry, who starred in films "Excalibur" and "The Lion in Winter" and shone on the stage, has died. He was 69.



Terry was a prolific theater actor who took part in numerous prominent productions from England's National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, including multiple plays by William Shakespeare and Moliere. But while his film work took a backseat to the stage, Terry nevertheless left his mark on movies thanks to key roles in several Hollywood films, ranging from awards bait and arthouse fare to big-budget epics.



Terry made his film debut in "The Lion in Winter," the lavish 1968 period piece starring Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole, which also marked the feature debuts of Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton. Following that Oscar-winning flick, however, Terry remained under the radar in Hollywood, until he turned up in the starring role in 1981's "Excalibur," playing King Arthur opposite Helen Mirren.



He became somewhat of a muse for Derek Jarman, most notably starring in the director's 1986 biopic "Caravaggio." Terry's last major film role came in 2004, in the sword and sandals epic "Troy," which reunited him with O'Toole.



Terry died April 30 of emphysemia near his home in Cornwall, England.







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