Tall, blond and striking, with angular features and an unmistakable European air, British actor Julian Sands looked right at home in the tasteful historical dramas, gothic horror films, and international espionage roles he became known for. This veteran actor started out charming audiences in the 1985 film “A Room With A View,” but darker roles in “Warlock” (1989), “Boxing Helena” (1993), and a string of films with director Mike Figgis always suggested a powerful talent with the potential to become a household name if the right role came along.

Julian Sands was born in Otley, the Yorkshire