Actor Jeremy Bulloch, famous for playing the bounty hunter Boba Fett in Star Wars’ The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, has died at age 75.
The British actor had appeared in over 100 projects at the time of his death, with roles in projects like the Roger Moore-fronted James Bonds movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy as well as several showings on Dr. Who in the 60s and 70s.
He died at London’s Tooting’s St George’s Hospital after several ‘health complications’ and a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to his personal website.
RIP: Star Wars actor James Bulloch, who played Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, has passed away at 75. He’s seen in 2017 above
Range: The British actor had appeared in over 100 projects at the time of his death, with roles in projects like James Bonds’ The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy as well as several showings on Dr. Who in the 60s and 70s
The statement went on to say: ‘He spent his final weeks in the wonderful care of staff at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, close to the house where he and his wife Maureen had lived together for more than fifty years. Maureen and two of his sons, Jamie and Robbie, were with him during his final days.’
In addition to his ‘long and happy life as an actor’ the statement said ‘away from the screen Jeremy was a talented footballer and cricketer.
‘He also supported a number of charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital who saved his granddaughter’s life. He was devoted to his wife, three sons and ten grandchildren, who all love him dearly and will miss him terribly.’
Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in Attack of The Clones, was one of the first people to share the news, taking to Instagram to share: ‘It brings me to tears to announce Jeremy Bulloch has passed away!!
‘RIP legend I’ll never forget all you’ve taught me!! I’ll love you forever!! Conventions wont be the same without you may the force be with you always.’
While Bulloch is credited as Boba Fett, he only physically played the part with Jason Wingreen providing the voice in the original series.
Worth his weight: He also made cameos as Lieutenant Sheckil in The Empire Strikes Back and Captain Jeremoch Colton in Revenge of the Sith
Sad: Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in Attack of The Clones, was one of the first people to share the news, taking to Instagram to share ‘It brings me to tears to announce Jeremy Bulloch has passed away!!’
But they made sure he earned his paycheck, also making cameos as Lieutenant Sheckil in The Empire Strikes Back and Captain Jeremoch Colton in Revenge of the Sith.
Years later, he reappeared in the series during Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, where he portrayed Captain Jeremoch Colton, a man from Alderaan who piloted Kenobi, Bail Organa and Yoda to the bustling planet of Coruscant.
Proving his love for the saga, he made small cameos in Star Wars fan films Order Of The Sith: Vengeance and its sequel Downfall – Order of the Sith in support of Save the Children.
He was also a regular on the convention and autograph circuit, keen on interacting with fans.
And in 2004, he had a cameo in Mark Hamill’s Comic Book: The Movie which also featured some Star Wars alumni such as David Prowse and Peter Mayhew.
Under the helmet: He talked about appearing in Star Wars projects once more in a 2013 interview quoted by The Daily Beast , saying: ‘The lovely thing is…if I’m wearing a helmet, no one knows how old I am.’ Seen in Return Of The Jedi above
Though his appearances in the original films are brief, Bulloch’s influence can’t be denied, especially with renewed interest in the character from his appearance in The Mandalorian, in addition to rumors of a spinoff series about the bounty hunter.
He talked about appearing in Star Wars projects once more in a 2013 interview quoted by The Daily Beast, saying: ‘The lovely thing is…if I’m wearing a helmet, no one knows how old I am.’
The actor was born in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, one of six children and began acting at a young age, making his first TV commercial appearance at just 10-years-old.
Bulloch is survived by wife Maureen, three sons and ten grandchildren.