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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Colin Cantwell dead: Legend who created Star Wars aircraft and Death Star creator dies

Colin Cantwell has died at the age of 90, it has been confirmed.

The artist and Death star passed away on Saturday in Colorado, his devastated partner has confirmed.

Colin's longterm partner, Sierra Dall, confirmed the sad news of Colin's death on Monday.

The talented artist was best known for creating the X-Wing, TIE fighter, Star Destroyer, and Death Star spacecraft for Star Wars.

Colin's film credits include special photographic effects for 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), technical dialogue for Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and computer graphics design consultant for WarGames (1983).

He was most renowned for his work with George Lucas on Star Wars, designing and constructing the prototypes for the X-wing, TIE fighter, Star Destroyer and the Death Star, among more.

While he went on to enjoy an incredibly successful career, the star didn't have an easy childhood.

Colin battled tuberculosis and suffered a partial retinal detachment as a young child.

In a 2016 interview, he said that his cure was to be put in a dark room.

The creator also revealed that he had a heavy vest strapped across his chest at all times which would stop him from having fits.

"I spent nearly two years of my childhood immobilized in this dark room," Colin told.

"Suffice to say, nothing else could slow me down after that," he added.

Following the news of his sad death, tributes have poured in for Colin.

"We've lost one of the greatest creators of our time. RIP Colin Cantwell," one fan shared on Twitter.

"Such a loss to the world of artists," another echoed.

"RIP to the great Colin Cantwell: the original designer of starships, a Star Wars legend, and a good man," someone else gushed.

Meanwhile, a fourth penned: "Colin Cantwell was instrumental in crafting the look and feel of classic Star Wars designs, and his work has served as the foundation of Star Wars design language ever since. RIP Colin Cantwell."

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