Star Wars’ original Boba Fett actor Jeremy Bulloch dies

Jeremy Bulloch, the original actor who played iconic character Boba Fett in Star Wars, has died at age 75.

Bulloch appeared as the Mandalorian bounty hunter in both original trilogy films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, inside the character’s armour.

Boba Fett was famously voiced by Jason Wingreen in the originally-released movies, and later Temuera Morrison in the re-releases. Morrison has also taken over the live-action role in The Mandalorian season two.

Bulloch played two other roles in the Star Wars universe as well – the Imperial lieutenant Sheckil in The Empire Strikes Back and the Republic’s pilot Captain Jeremoch Colton in Revenge of the Sith.

His death was announced on Thursday (December 17) by Daniel Logan, the actor who took over as Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones. He passed away at George’s Hospital in Tooting following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, Bullock’s official website confirmed.

“I’ll never forget all you taught me,” Logan wrote on Instagram. “I’ll love you forever. Conventions won’t be the same without you. May the Force be with you, always.”

Outside of Star Wars, Bulloch had a long and illustrious career with roles in both television and film from the 1960s through the 2000s.

He appeared in two classic Doctor Who serials – opposite William Hartnell in 1965’s ‘The Space Museum’ and Jon Pertwee in 1973’s ‘The Time Warrior’.

In the 1980s, Bulloch had an extended stint in Robin of Sherwood as the anti-hero’s ally Edward of Wickham.

Bulloch also had film roles in the James Bond movies Octopussy, For Your Eyes Only and The Spy Who Loved Me as well as Carry On Teacher and O Lucky Man!

His death comes just two weeks after his co-star, Star Wars’ original Darth Vader actor David Prowse, passed away at age 85 following a short illness.