Although it was released in 2000, “Gladiator” It is one of those movies that seem to have no date and will always seem current and current. The spectacular film directed by Ridley Scott, and that takes us back to the years of the fights in the coliseum (during the time of the Roman Empire), was one of the protagonists of that edition at the Oscars. And the phenomenon was such that recently the same director confirmed that there will be a sequel: “Gladiator 2” It will hit screens in 2024.
Since the premiere of “Gladiator” 23 years have passed, and all its protagonists continued with their lives and acting careers. Leading characters from the first film include Maximus (Russell Crowe) and the detestable emperor, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). None of them will be present in the sequel. But, in addition to the great protagonists, there were other secondary actors who were already older during the filming. And, 23 years after the premiere, today they already rest in peace.
The 3 actors who starred in “Gladiator” and died after its premiere
Seasoned actor Richard Harris brought Marcus Aurelius to life in “Gladiator” (2000), a character without much prominence or significance in the plot. Two years after the premiere of “Gladiator”, the artist passed away. It was in 2002, at the age of 72. However, it was in another movie where he left his big mark: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001). In this film, Harris played none other than Dumbledore.
One of the most traumatic deaths that had someone from the cast of “Gladiator” it was Oliver Reed’s. The actor, who played Antonio Próximo -one of the gladiator trainers- in the film by Ridley Scottdied of a heart attack before the filming of “Gladiator” concluded. It was in 1999, she was 61 years old and died while participating in a competition that consisted of drinking the most alcoholic beverages in a bar.
John Shrapnel played Senator Gaio in “Gladiator” (2000). The actor passed away on February 14, 2020, at the age of 77 and as a result of a violent and sudden cancer. In addition to giving life to Gaio, he had a supporting role in “Notting Hill” (1999).
Three years before he died, he played his last film role in “King Charles III” (2017), a production focused on the British Royal Family.