Remembering theStars WarsActors We've Lost Through the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Carrie Fisher in Star Wars in 1977.Photo: Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/REX/Shutterstock

Most recently, James Earl Jones died at age 93 on Sept. 9, 2024, leaving behind a long legacy of memorable voice acting work, perhaps most notably as Darth Vader inStar Wars.

“RIP dad,” actor Mark Hamill, who famously played his son Luke Skywalker, wrote simply alongside abroken heart emoji on Xafter the news broke.

As fans and colleagues mourn the actor, look back on otherStar Warsactors who’ve gone before.

01of 16James Earl JonesJames Earl Jones.Matt Baron/BEI/ShutterstockJames Earl Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader in theStar Warsfilms, died on Sept. 9, 2024,at the age of 93.“I’m simply special effects,” Jones once told AFI, explaining that George Lucas wanted a “darker” voice in 1977’sStar Warsmovie than that of actor David Prowse, who wore the suite. “So, he hires a guy born in Mississippi, raised in Michigan, who stutters.”“From all these so-called handicaps, I lucked out to get a job that paid me $7,000, and I thought that was good money,” he said. “It was great fun to be a part of that.”Jones' voice took him throughout his illustrious career, which included voicing Mufasa inThe Lion Kingand a host of Broadway roles.

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James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones.Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

James Earl Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader in theStar Warsfilms, died on Sept. 9, 2024,at the age of 93.

“I’m simply special effects,” Jones once told AFI, explaining that George Lucas wanted a “darker” voice in 1977’sStar Warsmovie than that of actor David Prowse, who wore the suite. “So, he hires a guy born in Mississippi, raised in Michigan, who stutters.”

“From all these so-called handicaps, I lucked out to get a job that paid me $7,000, and I thought that was good money,” he said. “It was great fun to be a part of that.”

Jones' voice took him throughout his illustrious career, which included voicing Mufasa inThe Lion Kingand a host of Broadway roles.

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Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher.Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/REX/Shutterstock

Fisher’s own mother, actress Debbie Reynolds,died just one day afterher daughter in 2016.

Fisher was best known for her portrayal of Princess Leia in theStar Warsfranchise, a role she stepped into at just 19 years old. She played the rebel leader in all three of the original films, and she later reprised the role in the 2015 movieStar Wars: The Force Awakens. She appears in the 2017 installment titledThe Last Jedi, which was filmed prior to her death. The 2019 releaseStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerfeatures Fisher in archived footage.

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Peter Mayhew

Peter Mayhew.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Peter Mayhew, whodied in 2019at age 74, was best known for playing Chewbacca in the originalStar Warstrilogy as well asEpisode III: Revenge of the Sith. Mayhew’s family says he also worked as a “consultant” on the 2017 continuation,Episode VIII: The Last Jedi.

“These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca,” Ford continued in regards to his late costar. “We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years, and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience.”

04of 16Jeremy BullochJeremy Bulloch.Pete Summers/ShutterstockJeremy Bulloch, the actor behindStar Wars' armor-clad bounty hunter Boba Fettdied in December 2020following health complications. He was 75.Bulloch first appeared as Boba Fett in 1980, in the original trilogy’s second releaseStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He then reprised the role three years later inReturn of the Jedi. Bulloch’s next appeared in the franchise as a new character, Captain Colton, in 2005’sRevenge of the Sith.

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Jeremy Bulloch

Jeremy Bulloch.Pete Summers/Shutterstock

Jeremy Bulloch, the actor behindStar Wars' armor-clad bounty hunter Boba Fettdied in December 2020following health complications. He was 75.

Bulloch first appeared as Boba Fett in 1980, in the original trilogy’s second releaseStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He then reprised the role three years later inReturn of the Jedi. Bulloch’s next appeared in the franchise as a new character, Captain Colton, in 2005’sRevenge of the Sith.

05of 16Alec GuinnessAlec Guinness.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via GettyThough he died in August 2000 at 86 years old, Alec Guinness (pictured here with director George Lucas) lives on inStar Warshistory. He played the role of sage Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi in the original trilogy. The part earned him an Academy Award nod in 1977.

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Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Though he died in August 2000 at 86 years old, Alec Guinness (pictured here with director George Lucas) lives on inStar Warshistory. He played the role of sage Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi in the original trilogy. The part earned him an Academy Award nod in 1977.

06of 16David ProwseDavid Prowse.Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett CollectionDavid Prowse, the English actor underneath the original Darth Vader costume,died at age 85in November 2020. While Prowse didn’t speak in the role (James Earl Jones provided Darth Vader’s voice), the former bodybuilder gave theStar Warsvillain his unmistakably menacing figure.Mark Hamill, who played Prowse’s on-screen estranged son, Luke Skywalker,tweeted in homageto the late actor.“So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader,” Hamill wrote on social media after news broke of Prowse’s death. “Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him.#RIP”

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David Prowse

David Prowse.Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection

David Prowse, the English actor underneath the original Darth Vader costume,died at age 85in November 2020. While Prowse didn’t speak in the role (James Earl Jones provided Darth Vader’s voice), the former bodybuilder gave theStar Warsvillain his unmistakably menacing figure.

Mark Hamill, who played Prowse’s on-screen estranged son, Luke Skywalker,tweeted in homageto the late actor.

“So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader,” Hamill wrote on social media after news broke of Prowse’s death. “Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him.#RIP”

07of 16Kenny BakerKenny Baker.EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGAKenny Baker, who originated the role of R2-D2,died at age 81in 2016. He last appeared as the robot sidekick in 2005’sStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith.Though Baker claimed on his (now defunct) website to have initially turned down the part – reportedly telling George Lucas, “I don’t want to be stuck in a robot” – he later shared his enthusiasm for the role. In 1997, the actor told PEOPLE that if “R2-D2 was in the movie, I’ll be in the movie.”

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Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker.EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Kenny Baker, who originated the role of R2-D2,died at age 81in 2016. He last appeared as the robot sidekick in 2005’sStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

Though Baker claimed on his (now defunct) website to have initially turned down the part – reportedly telling George Lucas, “I don’t want to be stuck in a robot” – he later shared his enthusiasm for the role. In 1997, the actor told PEOPLE that if “R2-D2 was in the movie, I’ll be in the movie.”

08of 16Paul GrantPaul Grant.FacebookPrior to hisdeath at age 56in March 2023, Paul Grant worked as an actor and stuntman. He was known for his portrayal of an Ewok in the 1983 filmReturn of the Jedi, among other appearances in fantasy films.At 4-ft., 4-in., Grant lived with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a genetic disorder that can result in “short stature and orthopaedic conditions in the joints,” according toJohns Hopkins.

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Paul Grant

Paul Grant.Facebook

Prior to hisdeath at age 56in March 2023, Paul Grant worked as an actor and stuntman. He was known for his portrayal of an Ewok in the 1983 filmReturn of the Jedi, among other appearances in fantasy films.

At 4-ft., 4-in., Grant lived with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a genetic disorder that can result in “short stature and orthopaedic conditions in the joints,” according toJohns Hopkins.

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Gary Friedkin

Gary Friedkin.Newsmakers via Getty

Gary Friedkin can be spotted as an Ewok in George Lucas’s 1983 filmReturn of the Jedi. Hedied at age 70after contracting COVID-19. The actor spent more than three weeks in intensive care before his death in December 2022.

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Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee.Alex Bowie/Getty

Christopher Lee played Count Dooku in the franchise’s early aughts prequelsStar Wars: Episode II– Attack of the ClonesandStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. He died at age 93 in June 2015.

11of 16Jason WingreenJason Wingreen.Albert L. Ortega/GettyJason Wingreen gave his voice to role of bounty hunter Boba Fett inThe Empire Strikes Back. Hedied at age 95on Christmas Day 2015.

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Jason Wingreen

Jason Wingreen.Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Jason Wingreen gave his voice to role of bounty hunter Boba Fett inThe Empire Strikes Back. Hedied at age 95on Christmas Day 2015.

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Felix Silla

Felix Silla, whodied in April 2021at 84 years old, appeared as an Ewok inReturn of the Jedi. His appearance in the 1983 installment is one of several roles for which he is remembered. Slla’sBuck Rogers in the 25th Centurycostar Gil Gerardtweeted fond thoughtsabout the late actor after learning he had died.

“Felix died just a few hours ago and the only good I can draw from his passing is that he didn’t suffer any longer,” Gerard wrote. “I will miss him terribly, especially the great time we had at our panels. Just him telling me to go ‘F’ myself.”

13of 16Alex McCrindleAlex McCrindle.Keystone/GettyInStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, the late Scottish actor played General Jan Dodonna. Though Alex McCrindle’s character isn’t part of the main ensemble, he has a very prominent role inStar Warshistory: General Dodonna is the first person to speak the iconic words “May the force be with you.“McCrindle died at age 78 in April 1990.

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Alex McCrindle

Alex McCrindle.Keystone/Getty

InStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, the late Scottish actor played General Jan Dodonna. Though Alex McCrindle’s character isn’t part of the main ensemble, he has a very prominent role inStar Warshistory: General Dodonna is the first person to speak the iconic words “May the force be with you.”

McCrindle died at age 78 in April 1990.

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John Hollis

John Hollis.Lucasfilm LTD.

15of 16Peter CushingPeter Cushing.Silver Screen Collection/Getty ImagesPeter Cushing earned a Saturn Award nomination for his role as Grand Moff Tarkin in the originalStar Warsfilm. The actor died in 1994 at age 81, but his likeness returned to big screens in 2016 withRogue One: A Star Wars Story. LucasFilm’s production teamused visual effectsto reanimate the evil Galactic Empire officer and continue his story.

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Peter Cushing

Peter Cushing.Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Peter Cushing earned a Saturn Award nomination for his role as Grand Moff Tarkin in the originalStar Warsfilm. The actor died in 1994 at age 81, but his likeness returned to big screens in 2016 withRogue One: A Star Wars Story. LucasFilm’s production teamused visual effectsto reanimate the evil Galactic Empire officer and continue his story.

16of 16Shelagh FraserShelagh Fraser.Mary Evans/LUCASFILMS/Ronald Grant/Everett CollectionShelagh Fraser (pictured on left), the actress who played Luke Skywalker’s Aunt Beru inStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopedied in August 2000 at age 79.

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Shelagh Fraser

Shelagh Fraser.Mary Evans/LUCASFILMS/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

Shelagh Fraser (pictured on left), the actress who played Luke Skywalker’s Aunt Beru inStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopedied in August 2000 at age 79.

source: people.com