Julian Sands was a British actor who rose to fame in the 1980s with his roles in films such as A Room with a View, The Killing Fields, and Warlock.
Known for his handsome looks, versatile talents, and distinctive voice, he appeared in over 150 films and TV shows, working with directors such as David Cronenberg, Steven Spielberg, and Dario Argento.
He also had a successful stage career, performing in plays by Shakespeare, Pinter, and Beckett.
However, his life came to a tragic end in 2023, when he went missing while hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles.
His remains were discovered six months later, confirming his death at the age of 65.
Here is the story of how the beloved actor met his fate and what he left behind.
Who was Julia Sands?
Sands was born in Otley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England on 4 January 1958.
He studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama and began his film career in supporting roles in films such as Oxford Blues and The Killing Fields.
He also had a cameo as a Greek soldier in the BBC adaptation of The Box of Delights.
Julian Sands came to the attention of NBC when the network cast him in the TV miniseries The Sun Also Rises and then with Anthony Hopkins in the television film A Married Man.
However, it was his role as George Emerson in the 1985 film A Room with a View that made him a star.
The film, based on the novel by E.M. Forster, was a critical and commercial success, earning eight Academy Award nominations and three wins.
Sands played the romantic lead opposite Helena Bonham Carter, who portrayed Lucy Honeychurch, a young English woman who falls in love with George while on holiday in Italy.
Sands’ performance was praised for its charm, passion, and spontaneity.
He also shared a memorable kiss with Bonham Carter in a field of poppies, which became one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.
Julia Sands Career
Following the success of A Room with a View, Sands decided to move to Hollywood and pursue a career in American films.
He appeared in several of them—both lower-tier and higher-budget.
Julia Sands played the title role in the horror film Warlock and its sequel Warlock: The Armageddon, the role of Franz Liszt in Impromptu, the role of Yves Cloquet in Naked Lunch, and prominent roles in Arachnophobia, Boxing Helena, and Leaving Las Vegas.
He also ventured into other genres and mediums, such as comedy (Vibes), animation (Jackie Chan Adventures), sci-fi (Stargate SG-1), drama (The Medallion), thriller (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), and musical (The Phantom of the Opera).
He worked with some of the most acclaimed actors and directors of his time, such as John Hurt, Jeremy Irons, Peter O’Toole, Nicole Kidman, Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage, Jackie Chan, David Lynch, Bernardo Bertolucci, Mike Figgis, and Lars von Trier.
Julian Sands also maintained his connection to his roots by appearing in British films and TV shows such as In Praise of Hardcore (where he played Laurence Olivier), The Haunted Airman (where he played Robert Graves), Medici (where he played Piero de’ Medici), and The Ghosts of Borley Rectory (where he played Lionel Foyster).
He returned to the stage frequently, performing in London’s West End and Broadway.
He received rave reviews for his one-man show A Celebration of Harold Pinter, which he toured around the world.
What Happened to Julian Sands?
On 13 January 2023, Sands went missing while hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles.
He was last seen near Mount Baldy Village at around 10:30 am.
Julian Sands had planned to hike to Mount Baldy Summit via Bear Canyon Trail, which is considered one of the most challenging routes in the area.
He was wearing a blue jacket , black pants, hiking boots, and a backpack.
He did not have a cell phone or a GPS device with him.
His wife, Evgenia Citkowitz , whom he married in 1990 and had two daughters with, reported him missing when he did not return home that night.
A massive search operation was launched by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, involving helicopters, dogs, drones, volunteers, and professional rescuers.
However, no trace of Sands was found, despite scouring every inch of the rugged terrain.
The search was hampered by a storm that hit the area shortly after Sands’ disappearance, bringing heavy snow, rain , and wind.
The search was officially suspended on 20 January 2023, after no clues or signs of life were detected. Sands was presumed dead, but his family and fans held out hope that he might have survived somehow.
His wife issued a statement thanking the searchers and the public for their support and prayers.
She also asked for privacy and respect during this difficult time.
How did Julia Sands Die? A Tragic Discovery
On 24 June 2023, six months after Sands went missing, his remains were discovered by a group of hikers in the Mount Baldy area.
They stumbled upon a human skull and some bones near a creek, along with some clothing and personal items that matched Sands’ description.
They alerted the authorities , who confirmed that the remains belonged to Sands through dental records.
The cause of death was determined to be hypothermia, as Sands had likely succumbed to the cold and exposure during the storm.
His wife and children were notified of the tragic news and issued another statement expressing their grief and gratitude.
They also requested that their husband and father be remembered for his life and work, not his death.
They said that he was a loving, generous, and adventurous man who touched many lives with his art and spirit.
Julia Sands Legacy
Julian Sands was a talented and versatile actor who had a long and diverse career in film, TV, and theatre.
He was admired by his peers and loved by his fans for his charisma, elegance, and intensity.
He left behind a legacy of love and art that will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and appreciated his work.
Julian Sands will be missed by many, but never forgotten.
