Star Wars’ Boba Fett actor Jeremy Bulloch dies at 75
British actor Jeremy Bulloch, most commonly known for playing the original Boba Fett in the Star Wars film trilogy, passed away on Thursday (Friday, Manila time).
As reported by the Associated Press, the 75-year-old English actor died at a hospital in London after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Bulloch first took on the role of the Mandalorian bounty hunter in the 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back and reprised his role for the Return of the Jedi in 1983. Apart from playing the fan favorite character, Bulloch also briefly appeared as Captain Colton in Revenge of the Sith and in the second film installment as Lieutenant Sheckil, who escorted Princess Leia through Cloud City.
Aside from the Star Wars films, Bulloch also made apperances in other British shows like Doctor Who, Crown Court and Sloggers and played supporting roles in several films including James Bond movies For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy.
Following Bulloch’s death, Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original film franchise, described the veteran actor as a “quintessential English gentleman.”
“A fine actor, delightful company & so kind to everyone lucky enough to meet or work with him. I will deeply miss him & am so grateful to have known him,” Hamill said in a Twitter post.
Jeremy Bulloch was the quintessential English gentleman. A fine actor, delightful company & so kind to everyone lucky enough to meet or work with him. I will deeply miss him & am so grateful to have known him. ? #RIP_DearJeremy pic.twitter.com/SMvjtQsSwZ
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) December 17, 2020
Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian alongside Bulloch’s character, also paid tribute to the actor on Twitter.
“Today we lost the best bounty hunter in the galaxy. RIP Jeremy Bulloch,” Williams said.
Today we lost the best bounty hunter in the galaxy ?RIP Jeremy Bulloch #BobaFett
— Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) December 17, 2020
Meanwhile, Joonas Suotama, who took on the role of Chewbacca in the recent Star War films, also reacted to the passing of Bulloch on Twitter.
“I'm very sad to learn that Jeremy Bulloch has passed. He was such a friendly presence at many Star Wars events I attended. Sending condolences to his loved ones,” he said.
I'm very sad to learn that Jeremy Bulloch has passed. He was such a friendly presence at many Star Wars events I attended. Sending condolences to his loved ones.
— Joonas Suotamo (@JoonasSuotamo) December 17, 2020
Although Boba Fett only had brief appearances in the original trilogy, Bulloch’s character easily became a cult favorite in the franchise, paving the way for the gunslinger to appear in other Star Wars properties including Disney Plus’ The Mandalorian starring Pedro Pascal.
(Images from Starwars.com)