Jeremy Bulloch, who played bounty hunter, Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died at the age of 75.
The Star Wars actor was the first person to play Boba Fett in the famous trilogy.
The English actor died on Thursday at a hospital in London after years of living with Parkinson’s disease.
His agents at Brown, Simcocks & Andrews said his death was due to health complications.
As the Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett, Bulloch made off with a frozen-in-carbonite Han Solo in 1980s film The Empire Strikes Back, before zooming around the desert in a jet pack in the 1983 version of Return Of The Jedi.
Boba’s appearances were brief, and Bulloch’s vocal performance was redubbed in later releases of the films, but the character became a cult favourite and has even re-emerged in The Mandalorian on Disney+.
Star Wars creator George Lucas called him a “true gentleman”, while Billy Dee Williams – whose Lando Calrissian appeared with Bulloch in the films said: “Today we lost the best bounty hunter in the galaxy.”
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, echoed Lucas’s words, tweeting that Bulloch was “the quintessential English gentleman”.
Hamill added: “A fine actor, delightful company and so kind to everyone lucky enough to meet or work with him.
“I will deeply miss him and am so grateful to have known him.”
Bulloch is said to have bagged the role of Boba in part due to the fact he fitted into the costume perfectly, impressing Lucas, and so kick-starting his most enduring role.
Bulloch was born in Market Harborough, Leicester and acted on a number of British TV programmes, including Doctor Who, Crown Court, and Sloggers.
He also appeared in Bond films For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy.
Paying tribute to the actor, the official Twitter account for the Star Wars franchise said: “He will be remembered not only for his iconic portrayal of the legendary character but also for his warmth and generous spirit which have become an enduring part of his rich legacy.”
Bulloch is survived by his wife Maureen, their three sons and 10 grandchildren.
His death comes less than a month after that of David Prowse, the man who donned the iconic Darth Vader suit in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Prowse, who died after a short illness, was 85.
