"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.

Stamp’s six decades in the business were peppered with highlights, including his touching portrayal of the transsexual Bernadette in 1994's The Adventure of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.