Michael Pennington dead: Star Wars legend dies as | UK News

Veteran actor Michael Pennington, best identified for his position in Star Wars, has died at the age of 82. No trigger of death has been confirmed. Born in Cambridge in 1943, Pennington educated at Cambridge University and the National Youth Theatre before embarking on a profession that would see him carry out Shakespeare across the world and earn acclaim as both an actor and author.

He co-founded the English Shakespeare Company in 1986 alongside director Michael Bogdanov, serving as joint creative director. Pennington turned identified to global audiences in 1983 when he appeared in George Lucas’s Return of the Jedi as Moff Jerjerrod. Addressing his long-standing connection to the franchise, Pennington said: “Let’s not make too much of it, but I’ve done 20 years of plays since, and people still write for autographs, saying, ‘If you ever do any more acting, please let us know.’”

He also appeared as Laertes in Hamlet (1969) and starred reverse Meryl Streep in 2011’s The Iron Lady.

Pennington made a quantity of appearances in TV collection across his profession, including The Bill, The Tudors and Father Brown. He also wrote almost a dozen books centered on the craft of appearing.

In his later years, Pennington had been dwelling at Denville Hall, a care home for retired actors, his agent Lesley Duff confirmed. He married actress Katharine Barker in 1964 and they welcomed a son named Mark, before divorcing in 1967.

Tributes have since poured in from across the leisure world for the actor, who loved a distinguished profession spanning more than 5 a long time.

His pal and fellow actress Miriam Margolyes penned: “Michael Pennington has died. An old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear. I am sad beyond measure. Bless your dear memory. Old chum.”

Responding to a remark beneath her post on Instagram, the Harry Potter actress confirmed Pennington handed away not too long ago at Denville Hall.

Also paying tribute, one fan wrote: “Sad day for the Star Wars community as a whole. Jerjerrod is my favorite Imperial in all of Star Wars and he will continue to be. Michael Pennington also has an impressive theater career outside of Star Wars that should not be overlooked, too.”

Another posted: “Renowned actor and English Shakespeare Company co-founder Michael Pennington has died at 82. From the RSC to “Return of the Jedi,” his impact on the craft was immeasurable. A true titan of the stage and screen.”

A 3rd added: “Sad news for both theatre and sci-fi fans. Michael Pennington brought gravitas to every role he played, including Moff Jerjerrod in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. His work on stage and screen left a lasting mark. Rest in peace.”