Julian Sands, a tall and gaunt British actor, was born in Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, to Brenda and William Sands. He initially gained recognition through his roles in the TV miniseries The Sun Also Rises (1984) and the television film A Married Man (1983),alongside Anthony Hopkins.
Sands' early career also featured small roles in Privates on Parade (1983) and The Killing Fields (1984). However, it was his performances in A Room with a View (1985) and Gothic (1986) that brought him widespread acclaim, particularly for his romantic and humorous portrayal opposite Helena Bonham Carter.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Sands continued to work on screen, appearing in films such as Vibes (1988),Impromptu (1991),Arachnophobia (1990),and Warlock (1989),directed by Steve Miner. The latter film was a major success, and he reprised his role in the sequel, Warlock: The Armageddon (1993).
Sands' other notable credits include Naked Lunch (1991),Tale of a Vampire (1992),and the title role in Dario Argento's The Phantom of the Opera (1998). He also appeared in Stephen King's Rose Red (2002) and occasionally worked on the English stage.
Tragically, Sands disappeared on January 13, 2023, after going for a hike near the Mount Baldy area of California's San Bernardino Mountains. A six-week search effort, involving local authorities and search and rescue teams, was unsuccessful. On June 24, 2023, hikers near Mount Baldy discovered human remains, which were later confirmed to be those of Sands on June 27, 2023. He was 65 years old at the time of his passing.
