Star Wars Actor Michael Culver has died at the age of 85.
According to a statement from Culver's agency, he died on February 27. No cause of death has been revealed.
“We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver,” Alliance Agents shared in a statement, noting his “career spanning more than 50 years with notable roles in sherlock holmes, A step to India, secret army and of course one of the most memorable death scenes of the Star Wars franchise.
Culver played a small role as Captain Needa in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. In the 1980 film, the character goes to Darth Vader to take responsibility for failing to capture the rebels. After the scene cuts, Culver is seen falling to the ground after Vader uses the Force to strangle him. “Apology accepted, Captain Needa,” Vader jokes.
Born in London on June 16, 1938, Culver began his on-screen acting career in 1961 on television and would play notable characters in British series such as the Avengers, The first Churchills, The Adventures of Black Beauty, secret armyand sherlock holmes.
Besides The Empire Strikes BackCulver made appearances in films such as Goodbye Mr. Chips and A step to Indiawith his most recent role in 2016 Servants House.
In the early 2000s, Culver began focusing on political activism as a leading supporter of peace and anti-Iraq war activist Brian Haw, who camped in Parliament Square for 10 years in protest against the foreign policy of the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2023, Culver helped campaign for a statue of Haw which will be installed in London.
Elsewhere in its statement, Alliance Agents reflected on how it was an “honor” to represent Culver and facilitate his connection with Star Wars fans around the world: “The highlight was taking Michael to Celebration in Chicago in 2019. He was speechless when he saw his line with almost 200 people waiting to see him.”
Revisit Culver's iconic death scene below.
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