Every Notable ‘Star Wars: Original Trilogy’ Actor Who Died

The first three ‘Star Wars’ films revolutionized cinema and gave us some of the most memorable characters ever created. Sadly, many of the actors who brought that iconic galaxy far, far away to life are no longer with us. This is a tribute to those performers, detailing their roles and highlighting their careers and impact on the saga – a look at the people behind the magic who made the stories so believable.

Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness is remembered for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi, the thoughtful Jedi Master who mentors Luke Skywalker in ‘A New Hope’. Already a highly respected actor in theater and film, Guinness brought a sense of seriousness and genuine emotion to the fantastical story. His performance was widely praised, and he became strongly identified with the character, even though he had a distinguished career long before ‘Star Wars’. He passed away on August 5, 2000, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that includes many other iconic roles.

Peter Cushing

Peter Cushing famously portrayed Grand Moff Tarkin, the Imperial officer in charge of the Death Star in ‘A New Hope’. A well-known British actor, Cushing brought a cold and commanding energy to his scenes, especially alongside Darth Vader. His performance helped establish the Empire as a truly ruthless force and defined the villains of the Star Wars saga. Cushing passed away on August 11, 1994, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most recognizable faces in science fiction and horror films.

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher famously played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. As both an actress and writer, she brought a cleverness and strength to the role, creating a truly memorable and inspiring character. Beyond acting, Fisher was a talented script editor and author. She passed away on December 27, 2016, but her work continued to appear in later films thanks to footage that had already been filmed.

David Prowse

As a huge Star Wars fan, I always thought Darth Vader was incredibly imposing, and a lot of that came down to the guy inside the suit, David Prowse. He was a former bodybuilder and athlete, so he brought this amazing physicality to the role – he was the shape and movement of Vader. While James Earl Jones did the voice, Prowse’s performance really helped create that iconic villain we all know and love. It was so sad to hear he passed away in November 2020, especially after seeing how much joy he brought to fans over the years at conventions.

Peter Mayhew

Peter Mayhew was the actor behind Chewbacca, Han Solo’s beloved co-pilot. Because Chewbacca didn’t speak much, Mayhew used his impressive height and physical acting to show the character’s emotions through his movements and body language, allowing audiences to connect with him. Mayhew remained dedicated to the role throughout his life, even helping the actor who took over the part later on. He passed away on April 30, 2019, after spending decades building a strong relationship with Star Wars fans.

Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker was the actor inside the R2-D2 costume for the first three Star Wars films. He didn’t provide a voice, but his physical performance – the way he moved and timed R2-D2’s actions – brought the droid to life and perfectly matched the sound effects. He also acted in other fantasy and adventure movies. Baker passed away on August 13, 2016, and is remembered for making R2-D2 feel like a real, living character.

Jeremy Bulloch

I’ll always remember Jeremy Bulloch as the original Boba Fett! He first brought the character to life in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and then again in ‘Return of the Jedi’. What really struck me was how he moved – so cool and deliberate, it really added to the character’s mysterious aura. He even showed up in a few other Star Wars things over the years. It was so sad to hear he passed away on December 17, 2020, especially knowing how much joy he brought to fans all over the world through those appearances and meet-and-greets.

Sebastian Shaw

Sebastian Shaw famously played Darth Vader when his mask came off at the end of ‘Return of the Jedi’, showing a redeemed Anakin Skywalker. A seasoned actor known for his stage work, he brought a subtle and touching vulnerability to those final scenes. Though his screen time was short, Shaw’s performance was crucial to the emotional impact of the trilogy. He passed away on December 23, 1994, after a long and successful career in theater and film.

Richard LeParmentier

Richard LeParmentier was the actor who played Admiral Motti, the Imperial officer who famously argued with Darth Vader on the Death Star in ‘A New Hope’. That scene was important for showing how power worked within the Empire. LeParmentier continued to act and later became a writer. He passed away on April 15, 2013, and is still remembered for one of the most memorable lines from the original Star Wars trilogy.

Phil Brown

Phil Brown played Owen Lars, Luke Skywalker’s uncle and caretaker, in ‘A New Hope’. He brought a realistic quality to the role, establishing Luke’s humble beginnings on Tatooine and highlighting the conflict between his everyday responsibilities and his future path. Brown had a long and successful career in film and television in both the United States and the United Kingdom, and he passed away on February 9, 2006.

Shelagh Fraser

Shelagh Fraser, who played Beru Lars in ‘A New Hope’, brought a sense of warmth and kindness to her role as Luke Skywalker’s mother, contrasting with Owen’s more stern personality. Her performance helped establish Luke’s humble beginnings and family life. A seasoned actress with a strong background in theatre and television, Fraser passed away on August 29, 2000, but her work continues to resonate as a sweet and memorable part of the original Star Wars film.

Jack Purvis

Jack Purvis was a talented actor known for playing memorable characters in iconic films like ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ (as the Chief Jawa) and ‘Return of the Jedi’ (as the Ewok, Teebo). He had a gift for bringing lively performances to roles where he was largely hidden by costumes and masks. Purvis also contributed to other popular fantasy movies of the time, and his work is fondly remembered for adding depth and richness to those films. He passed away on November 21, 1997.

Michael Sheard

Michael Sheard is best known for playing Admiral Ozzel in ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ where his scenes with Darth Vader highlighted the serious consequences of mistakes in the Imperial Navy. A seasoned actor, Sheard appeared in many British television shows and films throughout his long career, and he passed away on August 31, 2005, leaving behind a diverse body of work.

William Hootkins

William Hootkins is best known for playing Jek Tono Porkins, a Rebel pilot in the original ‘Star Wars’ film, ‘A New Hope.’ He continued acting in many popular movies and also worked steadily in voice acting and theater. Though his role was small, Hootkins made a lasting impression on fans. He passed away on October 23, 2005, and is still fondly remembered by those who have followed his work for years.

Drewe Henley

Drewe Henley, who played Red Leader Garven Dreis in ‘Star Wars: A New Hope,’ was important in showing how the Rebel attack was organized during the famous trench run. He continued acting in films and television throughout the 1970s and beyond. Henley passed away on February 14, 2016, but his scenes – especially those in the briefing room – are still well-known and often used as references today.

Christopher Malcolm

Christopher Malcolm, known for playing Zev Senesca – the pilot who rescued Han and Luke on Hoth in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ – had a long and successful career in both theater and film. His calm and believable performance as a Rebel pilot helped make the scenes in the cockpit feel realistic. He passed away on February 15, 2014, after many years dedicated to the performing arts.

John Hollis

John Hollis is best known for playing Lobot, the calm and mysterious assistant to Lando Calrissian in ‘The Empire Strikes Back.’ Throughout his career, he acted in many different kinds of films. He passed away on October 18, 2005, and remains memorable for his unique appearance as Lobot.

Bruce Boa

Bruce Boa, best known for playing General Rieekan in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, passed away on April 17, 2004. As the Rebel commander on Hoth, his scenes were key to showing how the Alliance military operated during their escape. Throughout his career in film and television, Boa often played characters who were figures of authority, and he was consistently a reliable supporting actor.

Don Henderson

Don Henderson was the actor who played General Tagge in the original ‘Star Wars’ film, ‘A New Hope’. His character was known for being cautious, which stood out compared to the more arrogant Imperial officers. Henderson had a long and successful career in British TV and film. He passed away on June 22, 1997, but his portrayal of General Tagge is still remembered and talked about, especially when people discuss the famous Death Star briefing scene.

Alex McCrindle

I was really sad to hear about Alex McCrindle passing away. He played General Dodonna in ‘A New Hope,’ you know, the guy who explains the plan to blow up the Death Star? He just had this really calm, commanding presence in that scene, and he was the Rebel Alliance to me! It turns out he had a long career in radio, TV, and movies before that, which is amazing. He passed away on April 20, 1990, but he’ll always be remembered as a key part of the original Star Wars!

Eddie Byrne

Eddie Byrne portrayed General Willard, a key leader in the Rebel Alliance in ‘A New Hope’. His scenes on Yavin helped establish how the Alliance was structured and led. Byrne was a seasoned actor with a long career in film and television, appearing in many Irish and British productions. Sadly, he passed away on August 21, 1981, not long after the original Star Wars trilogy was released.

Alfie Curtis

Alfie Curtis played Dr. Cornelius Evazan, the intimidating character who confronts Luke Skywalker in ‘A New Hope’. Though his scene was short, it really captured the dangerous and chaotic atmosphere of the Mos Eisley spaceport. Curtis had a long career in British film and television, and he passed away on December 26, 2017. Even with his limited screen time, his character has become a well-remembered part of the iconic cantina scene.

Erik Bauersfeld

Erik Bauersfeld, a seasoned radio performer, is best known as the voice of Admiral Ackbar in ‘Return of the Jedi’ – he actually voiced another character in the film as well. His iconic vocal performance quickly became a pop culture phenomenon, highlighting the power of voice acting in creating memorable characters, even in films with lots of special effects. Bauersfeld passed away on April 3, 2016, after a long and successful career in audio storytelling.

Richard Bonehill

Richard Bonehill was a stunt performer and swordsman who appeared in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’. He often played uncredited masked characters on both the Rebel and Imperial sides, contributing to large battle scenes and action sequences. Bonehill worked on the trilogy extensively, and passed away on February 4, 2015.

Gerald Home

I was so sad to hear about Gerald Home’s passing. He was one of those actors who really brought the Star Wars universe to life for me. I remember being fascinated by the creatures in Jabba’s palace and the ships in the Rebel fleet – it turns out he played Tessek and a Mon Calamari officer in ‘Return of the Jedi’! It must have been challenging working under all those prosthetics, but he really helped create such a memorable and unique look for those scenes. He was also great with fans, always sharing interesting behind-the-scenes stories. He passed away on October 6, 2021, and the Star Wars community will definitely miss him.

Ian Liston

Ian Liston, who played the Rebel gunner Wes Janson in ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ is remembered for his engaging dynamic with Wedge Antilles, which enriched the film’s battle scenes on Hoth. Liston continued acting in theater and television and became a popular figure at fan conventions. He passed away on October 1, 2016, leaving behind a legacy as a valued member of the Rogue Squadron team.

Alan Harris

Alan Harris was a dedicated performer who brought many background characters to life in the original Star Wars trilogy, including famously portraying the bounty hunter Bossk in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’. He frequently wore costumes and masks as guards and troopers, helping to create a consistent look throughout the films. Fans remember and appreciate his contributions to the series, and he passed away on January 25, 2020.

Declan Mulholland

During the making of ‘A New Hope,’ Declan Mulholland temporarily played Jabba the Hutt in early scenes. He helped the filmmakers figure out how the character would move and interact with others before the final version was created. Mulholland was a UK actor with many other film and TV credits. He passed away on June 29, 1999, but remains a memorable part of Star Wars production history for his unique role.

Felix Silla

Felix Silla was the actor inside the Ewok costume in ‘Return of the Jedi’. He was a professional stuntman and actor with a long career bringing characters to life in popular franchises like Star Wars. His work often meant performing complex and physically demanding routines while wearing elaborate suits. He passed away on April 16, 2021, and is fondly remembered for his work in science fiction and fantasy films.

I’d love to hear your favorite memories of these actors and actresses! Tell me which scenes from the original trilogy they really made special for you in the comments below. Let’s reminisce together!

2025-10-22 16:18