RRR' actor Ray Stevenson dies, Rajamouli says working with him was 'pure joy'

Director SS Rajamouli on Tuesday remembered actor Ray Stevenson, who played the villainous British governor in RRR, as someone who brought "infectious" energy to the film's sets.

Stevenson died in Italy on Sunday, four days before his 59th birthday, his publicist confirmed with entertainment website Variety. No cause of death was available.

In a Twitter post, Rajamouli said he was shocked to know about the Irish actor's death.

In his career spanning 25 years, Stevenson also played Volstagg, an Asgardian warrior in the Thor films and a member of the 13th Legion in the BBC/HBO drama series Rome.

Filmmaker James Gunn said while he didn't work extensively with Stevenson, he has fond memories of collaborating with the actor while shooting post-credits scenes of Thor: The Dark World (2013).

Stevenson also did voice work in Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars as Gar Saxon.

He has a role in the upcoming Star Wars live-action series Ahsoka, in which he plays a villain, Baylan Skoll. The eight-episode season is expected on Disney+ in August.

Stevenson has three sons with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia, who he met while working on Rome.