"He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come," the family statement said.

Veteran British actor Terence Stamp, who starred in one of the most beloved Australian films of all time, has died at the age of 87.

His performance as a dashing young sailor hanged for killing one of his crewmates, earned him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for Best New Actor.