Jeremy Bulloch, Boba Fett actor in original Star Wars, dead at 75

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Jeremy Bulloch, the British actor who played the role of bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star wars trilogy, died Thursday at the age of 75.

Bulloch’s family wrote on the actor’s website: “Jeremy passed away peacefully on December 17, 2020 from health complications, including several years with Parkinson’s disease. He spent his last weeks in the wonderful care of staff at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, near the house where he and his wife Maureen had lived together for over fifty years. Maureen and two of her sons, Jamie and Robbie, were with him during his last days.

“Jeremy Bulloch, whose unforgettable performance as famous bounty hunter Boba Fett has captivated audiences since his first appearance in the 1980s. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, unfortunately passed away ”, Star Wars tweeted Thursday. “He will be remembered not only for his iconic portrayal of the legendary character, but also for his warmth and generous spirit which has become an enduring part of his rich heritage.

“Jeremy Bulloch was the quintessential English gentleman,” tweeted Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga, Thursday. “A good actor, a charming company and so kind to anyone who has the chance to meet him or work with him. I will miss him deeply and am very grateful to have known him.

Bulloch portrayed Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back – the character’s debut on the big screen, after his animated debut in 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special – as well as Return of the Jedi. Bulloch played the helmeted Mandalorian in appearance only; the character’s few lines of dialogue were first recorded by Jason Wingreen (who died in 2016) and then, on the re-edited version of the original trilogy, actor Temuera Morrison, who now plays Boba Fett on The Mandalorian.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Bulloch has fallen into the fan favorite role: his half-brother was Star wars producer Robert Watts, responsible for finding someone to adapt the pre-made costume. Bulloch said in an AMA interview in 2015: “I remember George Lucas saying, ‘Welcome aboard. It’s not a big role, but I think you will have fun. “

Much like Darth Vader actor David Prowse – who died on November 29 at the age of 85 – Bulloch provided Boba Fett with his distinct physiognomy, with the actor admitting he modeled his movements on Western spaghetti from Clint Eastwood; decades later, The Mandalorian would draw inspiration from the Western genre itself.

In the decades that followed, Bulloch became a mainstay of Star Wars fan conventions until his retirement from the tour in 2018. “In 1979, I was called up to the set of The Empire Strikes Back playing Boba Fett, and since that day it’s changed the whole direction of my life in such a wonderful way, ”wrote Bulloch at the time. “It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to inspire so many generations of Star Wars fans.”

In addition to donning Boba Fett’s’ beskar ‘armor, Bulloch also played roles in the’ 80s James Bond films. Just for your eyes and Octopus, Doctor Who and, in an unmasked role, Captain Colton in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith; during the making of the previous film – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones in 2002 – he befriended actor Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in the prequel.

“It brings me to tears to announce that Jeremy Bulloch has [passed] away, ”Logan wrote on Instagram. “RIP legend. I will never forget everything you taught me. I will always love you. The conventions won’t be the same without you. May the force be with you always.

Bulloch added of Boba Fett’s appeal in the 2015 interview, “I think the main reason is there’s something in the costume. I remember the very first day I put on the costume and looked at myself in the mirror [and said], “Yes, that looks good!” There’s just something about it that you don’t know what’s going to happen. He’s got all these gadgets, he’s got jetpacks and knee pads. It’s not just me, it’s the character Boba Fett. There is something serious about him.



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