‘Chariots of Fire’ star Ben Cross dead at 72
- Veteran British actor died ‘suddenly’ after a short illness
- Cross also played Spock’s father in the 2009 reboot of ‘Star Trek’
British actor Ben Cross, best known for his starring role in the 1981 Oscar-winning sports drama Chariots of Fire, died Tuesday aged 72.
Cross, who portrayed Jewish sprinter Harold Abrahams’ battle to overcome anti-Semitism and triumph at the 1924 Olympics, was also known to younger fans as Spock’s father in the 2009 reboot of Star Trek.
“Ben passed away suddenly today following a short illness,” Cross’s agent in Los Angeles said. He was reportedly living in Vienna at the time of his death.
Cross, a veteran stage actor born in London, made his big-screen debut alongside Sean Connery and Michael Caine in Richard Attenborough’s 1977 World War II epic A Bridge Too Far.
After a successful turn in the London West End debut of the musical Chicago, he was cast in Chariots along with Ian Holm and John Gielgud.