Ben Cross dies: Star Trek and Chariots of Fire actor dies aged 72

Ben Cross, the theater and film actor best known for his roles in Chariots of fire and Star Trek, died at the age of 72.

The actor’s family confirmed to Deadline this Cross died Tuesday morning in Vienna, Austria.

Her daughter Lauren shared the following announcement on Facebook: “I’m heartbroken to tell you that my darling father passed away a few hours ago.

“He had been ill for a while, but there has been a rapid decline over the last week. The press will soon announce his death, I just wanted all of you – his most loyal and loving fans – to hear it from us first.

“Thank you for all of your support over the years. He really enjoyed interacting with you.

Born in London in 1947, Cross – whose birth name was Harry Bernard Cross – held a series of jobs before being accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts at the age of 22.

After a few TV credits, his film part came in the 1977 war film. A bridge too far.

Cross continued to act on television and in 1981 starred as Harold Abrahams in director Hugh Hudson. Chariots of fire. The film ended up winning the Oscar for Best Picture in 1982.

Over the next two decades, the actor continued to appear on both large and small screens, appearing in The Citadel, The twilight zone, and Dark shadows, among other programs.

In 2009, Cross played Sarek, Spock’s father, in JJ Abrams Star Trek movie.

Cross recently starred in The CW’s sci-fi series Pandora. It is also part of the Netflix / Studiocanal adaptation of the novel by Jojo Moyes the Last letter from your lover.

The project, currently in post-production, also stars Felicity Jones and Shailene Woodley.