'Chariots of Fire' and 'Star Trek' Star Ben Cross Dead at Age 72
Ben Cross, an actor who starred in the Academy Award-winning film “Chariots of Fire” and “Star Trek,” has died. He was 72.
His representative Tracy Mapes said the actor died Tuesday after a short illness. The actor’s daughter, Lauren Cross, said her father died in Vienna, Austria.
A family statement called Cross a born showman and entertainer who was a walking encyclopedia of music that could “sing anything.”
“He was a man who taught us to embrace our feelings, whatever they may be,” the family said.
“We are grateful for the time we had with him. His spirit lives on in our hearts through his words, his music, and the love that we still feel.”
Cross was a veteran actor who broke through with the 1981 film “Chariots of Fire,” which won the Oscar for best picture.
He had the leading role as Olympic runner Harold Abrahams in the true story about two British athletes at the 1924 Games.
Cross also starred alongside Sean Connery and Richard Gere in the 1995 film “First Knight.”
He played Spock’s father, Sarek, in the 2009 reboot of “Star Trek,” and portrayed Prince Charles in the television film “William & Kate: The Movie” in 2011.
We are very sad to hear of the passing of Ben Cross, who played Sarek in the 2009 film Star Trek. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/3nkK9NUSSO
— TrekMovie.com (@TrekMovie) August 18, 2020
In other roles, Cross was the leading character in the TV miniseries “Solomon” in 1997.
In the same year, he appeared as Captain Nemo in the CBS remake of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”
I lost a friend today. RIP #BenCross. My heart goes out to his family. ?
— Marina Sirtis (@Marina_Sirtis) August 19, 2020
Mapes said Cross had just finished filming the horror movie “The Devil’s Light” with Virginia Madsen for Lionsgate.
He also will star in the upcoming “Last Letter from Your Lover.”
Cross is survived by his wife, two children and three grandchildren.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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