On May 22, 2023, audiences got the tragic news that actor Ray Stevenson had passed away. The Northern Irish actor had built up an impressive career, being one of the best character actors working in Hollywood. Whenever he popped up in a project, he always left an impression. Seeing him show up was always a delight and one that, sadly, audiences won't get to see anymore.
Stevenson has a few posthumous releases still scheduled, including the Disney+ Star Wars series Ahsoka and films like 1242: Gateway to the West and Cassino in Ischia. While that is something to look forward to, it still sadly does not feel like enough from such a talented actor who was also known as such a kind individual. He is a presence that will be missed by his fans and a person who will be missed more by his friends and loved ones. In honor of the great actor, here are the best Ray Stevenson performances ranked
7 G.I. Joe: Retaliation
In 2013's G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Stevenson steps into the role of Firefly, a Cobra operative. Firefly is one of many ninjas in the G.I. Joe franchise, but Stevenson immediately stands out with an over-the-top Australian accent. As most audiences know, G.I. Joe from the toys and cartoon series Stevenson perfectly tapped into the over-the-top nature of the property. He takes what could have been a standard henchman on the page and made him a villain who steals every scene he is in.
6 Thor
Stevenson played the character Volstagg in the MCU, starting in 2011's Thor and receiving a slightly bigger role in 2013's Thor: The Dark World before being killed off in 2017's Thor: Ragnarok. Volstagg is a member of the Warrior's Three, Thor's trusty allies. Volstagg is notably the most prominent member due to his massive size and larger-than-life personality.
His role in Thor might have been the biggest in terms of the impact it would have on his larger acting career. Stevenson was originally worried about being too hammy, but director Kenneth Branagh told him to "bath in the river of ham." From this point on, Stevenson excelled at playing over-the-top characters. He was never afraid to chew the scenery and made the most of every scene, helping make him a favorite among audiences for years.
5 Dexter
The later seasons of Dexter are nobodies favorite, but it is difficult to deny how great Ray Stevenson was on it. He played the role of Isaak Sirko, a high-ranking member of a Ukrainian-based international crime syndicate and one of the major villains for Season 7. As with many of his other performances, this showcased Stevenson's talent for accents.
Stevenson typically was cast in a supporting role, but here he gets the chance to really shine in a major role. He was a fierce villain, one that showcased Stevenson's talent as an actor. His performance alone proves that the final seasons of Dexter were not all bad.
4 Black Sails
Ray Stevenson stepped into the role of the most famous pirate on the hit series Black Sails. Edward Teague, more commonly known as Blackbeard, needed an actor with a commanding presence and needed both a sense of swagger and menace to him, and Stevenson delivered in spades. Despite only appearing in the third and fourth seasons, Stevenson cast a presence where it is hard to imagine the series without him. Taika Waititi might be the best comedic Blackbeard on television on Our Flag Means Death, but Ray Stevenson is the best dramatic Blackbeard on television.
3 Punisher: War Zone
Punisher: War Zone has gone from a box office bomb to an under-appreciated cult film. Directed by Lexi Alexander, the film is a reboot of the Punisher film franchise with Ray Stevenson stepping into the role of iconic Marvel anti-hero. Stevenson's Punisher is the closest to the classic Marvel Comics version, very much a homage to 1970s action anti-heroes with a silent intensity.
Stevenson sells the vicious cold nature of the Punisher but also his more human moments. It is believable that he can take out a room full of criminals without breaking a sweat but also connect with a young girl about dolls as a reminder of the father he once was. Stevenson did not reprise his role as the Punisher in the MCU, but he did voice the character in the kid-centric Super Hero Squad Show, and despite the very child-friendly tone, he still fits the role perfectly.
2 RRR
In RRR, Stevenson played Governor Scott Buxton, a high-ranking British officer. Buxton is a comically over-the-top evil caricature of a British aristocrat, and Stevenson is having a ball with it. He plays the character without an ounce of sympathy, making him the living embodiment of British colonial rule. He seems to relish in his evil, all under the guise of proper British pride.
Some villains need to be complex, but a good actor also needs to know when to go over the top, and Stevenson knew exactly the type of movie he was in. He is a villain the audience loves to watch because they are rooting for their downfall, and Buxton gets one of the greatest cinema deaths of all time. RRR became a global sensation, and it was one of Stevenson's last performances. Thankfully he got to live and see the movie become a phenomenon.
1 Rome
Rome is the series that put Stevenson on the map and still remains his best performance. In the series, he plays Titus Pullo, an upbeat Roman soldier with a sense of adventure. He is a hedonist but one with a strong sense of honor. He plays the more comedic character to Kevin McKidd's Lucius Vorenus, and Stevenson relishes every moment. He gets the best lines and some of the filthiest pieces of dialogue that would make even a modern audience member squirm.
Titus Pullo is the type of character any actor would jump at the chance for, and Stevenson took it and made it one of the best characters on one of HBO's best shows. While audiences sadly only have a few posthumous Stevenson performances, they were lucky to have gotten so many great performances from the actor. Roles like Titus Pullo and the ones mentioned on this list mean Stevenson will never truly be forgotten and will still be referenced for years to come.
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