Star Wars actor Michael Culver has died aged 85, his agent has confirmed.
"We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver. A career spanning over 50 years with notable roles in Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Secret Army and of course one of the most memorable death scenes in the Star Wars franchise,” a statement read.
"Michael largely gave up acting in the early 2000's to concentrate his efforts into his political activism. It's been an honor to have represented Michael for for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe. A real highlight was taking Michael to Celebration in Chicago in 2019. He was lost for words when he saw his queue line with nearly 200 people waiting to see him."
"We worked with Michael just 3 weeks ago at his last home signing with our friends at Elite Signatures. Michael died on Tuesday 27th February at the age of 85. We miss him," the statement issued to the Irish Sun concluded.
Culver played the role of Captain Needa in the Empire Strikes Back (1980). The character commanded the Avenger, one of the Imperial Star Destroyers, which pursued the fleeing Millennium Falcon in the film. After the starship escape, he apologised to Darth Vader, who subsequently killed the captain.
The London-born star’s other extensive credits included playing Major McBryde in A Passage to India (1984), BBC series Secret Army from 1977 to 1978, the Adventures of Black Beauty and the Return of Sherlock Holmes.
He is also said to have had two uncredited roles in James Bond films, reportedly appearing in both From Russia With Love (1963) and Thunderball (1965).
