It’s with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Terence Stamp, the iconic British actor who brought gravitas to every role, no matter how brief. While many remember him for his famous role as General Zod in Superman, his role in Star Wars may have been small, but it carried quiet significance both onscreen and behind the scenes.
In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), Stamp, who passed on August 17, 2025 at age 87, portrayed Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, the beleaguered leader overthrown just as the Republic began its collapse. Though Valorum appears only fleetingly, the role anchors the start of Palpatine’s sinister rise, marking the turning point of the galaxy.
By his own account, Stamp chose the part not for screen time but for the chance to work with George Lucas and a crew of “first-division” actors. After filming, he was unceremoniously compensated with a box of Star Wars stencils as a token from Lucasfilm, a quirky little anecdote the actor reportedly found amusing.
What Fans Remember
Even decades later, fans honor Stamp’s presence in the galaxy far, far away. One Redditor summed it up well, writing, “Zod in Superman 2; Valorum in Star Wars; Jor-El in Smallville; The Prophet of Truth in Halo. A familiar voice and amazing presence who often presented a warmth in reality different from his most well-known characters. Rest well, sir.”
Another fan shared a story Stamp probably would’ve enjoyed, “Summer of 1999, Chancellor Valorum was the only Pepsi can my brothers and I could not find. We scoured garbage cans, recycling bins, endless deli and convenience store fridges, but we could never find him. Ended that summer with 23 of 24 cans. RIP sir.”
Others pointed out that Stamp also appeared as the butler in Disney’s Haunted Mansion and in Get Smart alongside Steve Carrell.
In regard to his Star Wars legacy, behind the formal robes, Valorum was meant to be more than a political figure. In Star Wars Insider, Stamp shared that Lucas described the Chancellor as “a good man but he’s beleaguered—a bit like [Bill] Clinton”—a layered, sympathetic figure caught in the imperial rising tide.
Though Stamp’s time in Star Wars was short, his performance enriched the prequel trilogy with historical weight. His legacy from Phantom Menace, alongside roles like Zod and Bernadette in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, speaks to an actor who always a cut above.
Star Wars fans salute you, Chancellor Valorum. May the Force be with your family.