Reed died suddenly from a heart attack during a break from filming Gladiator in Valletta, Malta on May 2nd 1999, aged 61 and was reported to be heavily intoxicated at the time of death. Racking up an $866 alcohol bill, Reed had reportedly drunk three bottles of Captain Morgan's rum, eight bottles of beer and numerous doubles of Famous Grouse whiskey. He also beat five much younger Royal Navy sailors at arm wrestling at a bar called "The Pub." (The owners have since added "Ollie's Last Pub" to the sign.)