Since its debut in 1977, the Star Wars franchise has grown to be admired by many for changing the way Hollywood made their films. In fact, it’s had such an impact that new Star Wars movies are still being made with the most recent being released in 2023. That builds up to a total of 46 years in the making.
Although most of the cast changed for the new trilogy (Episodes VII, VIII, and IX) that came out in 2015, the actors who played beloved characters in the original trilogy (Episodes IV, V, and VI) are talked about and remembered to this day. Remember since many of them are gone and left us a legacy that we will talk about for generations to come. So, without any hesitation, here is a list of all the Star Wars actors who died in alphabetical order.
Editor’s Note: This post is updated regularly to bring you the latest news regarding both the current and former cast of the Star Wars franchise.
1 – Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Sir Alec Guinness’ career didn’t begin to blossom after his Star Wars role as Obi-Wan-Kenobi in the original 1977 film even though he was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Role. He saw the same outcome after his role in The Lavander Hill Mob earned him his first Academy Award nomination. It should be noted that his nomination for Best Supporting Role in Star Wars is the only acting nomination the trilogy has ever received.
Guinness lived a long and productive life, but he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the early 2000s when he was 86 years old. His battle with the disease ended after half a year.
2 – Alex McCrindle (General Jean Dodona)
Although he is best known for his role in Star Wars, Alex’s career took off in 1951 when he starred in his first US film, The House In The Square. He did five more movies and then moved on to TV acting. After the fourth episode, he returned to television acting.
He died on April 20, 1990 in a London hospital.
3 – Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)
Even if you haven’t watched a single episode of Star Wars, you will know who Carrie Fisher is. For most fans, Princess Leia represents and continues to represent hope, equality, and feminism. She was, after all, both a princess and a general, a survivor but also a fierce fighter who helped lead the rebels to victory over the Empire.
She was only 60 years old when she passed away in 2016 due to cardiac arrest in an airplane.
4. Christopher Lee (Count Dooku)
Christopher Lee was a great antagonist overall not only because of his role as Sith Lord Count Dooku in Star Wars but also because of his role as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He has been highly appreciated in the fantasy and sci-fi genres and has done amazing voice work for movies and video games as well.
Although we were sad to pass away, the actor was 93 years old when he passed away due to cardiac arrest, so you can be sure that he shared his talent with fans to the fullest.
5. Ed Asner (Jabba The Hutt)
Ed Asner voiced Jabba the Hutt in the 1996 radio adaptation of Episode VI. His role was insignificant but we still remember him as the man who brought Jabba back to life. He also became the voice of the Jedi Master in the Star Wars 2 games.
Asner died in 2021 at the age of 91 at his Los Angeles home of natural causes.
6 – Felix Sylla (Ewok)
You have to love the Ewoks, they are cute and cuddly and petite, but nonetheless helped the rebels defeat the Empire. You wouldn’t recognize Felix Sela if you tried to find him in the movie, but he was there and fought really well as an Ewok glider.
He was born in 1937 and died recently, in 2021. Playing the crazy little Ewok and fighting was a perfect fit for him since he was a professional jumper and trained to perform in the circus.
7. Gerald Home (Teseek)
He is best known for his roles in Star Wars: Episode VI, Return of the Jedi where he played both Tessek and Captain Verrack although he remains uncredited for the roles. Other roles that had an impact on his career are The Undertaker which was released in 2010 and The Chat Room was released in 2010 as well.
Like Félix Sylla, he died in 2021 when he was 70 years old.
8. Harry Fielder (Corporal Greenwick)
Although many of his roles are either uncredited or minor, Harry Fielder still plays in big titles some of which include Superman, Doctor Who, 101 Dalmatians, and of course Star Wars Episode IV.
Felder passed away in 2021 at the age of 80 and showed us that you don’t have to make it big to actually make it happen.
9. Jack Purvis (Chief Jawa, Chief Ognut, Tipu Iwok)
Purvis starred in all episodes of the original trilogy. The roles he’s taken on have been minor but you have to give him credit for appearing in all three episodes of the fan-favorite trilogy of them all. Fun fact about Purvis is that he’s the voice of Bashful in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Purvis died in 1997, fourteen years after the release of Episode VI.
10 – John Hollis (Wolf)
John Hollis has had nothing but an amazing career. He played Lobot in Episode V and also appeared in the 1980s movie Flash Gordon and the first two Superman movies released. He is best known for his role in James Bond: For Your Eyes Only as Ernest Stavro.
Hollis died in 2005 in London at the age of 77 in London, England.
11. Jason Wingreen (Boba Fett)
The most famous bounty hunter in the galaxy passed away in 2015 when he was 95 years old. Although the role didn’t require him to speak much, when he did, his deep voice helped fans fall in love with the character.
Born and raised in New York City, he passed away at the age of 95 in Los Angeles, California in 2015.
12. Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
If you’ve ever wondered how fit Baker is as an R2-D2 shooter, his height of just 3 feet 8 inches certainly explains it. He played both the original and the previous trilogy
It is also worth noting that he played Ewok and Pablo as well. The actor passed away in 2008 at the age of 81 while the exact cause of his death is still a mystery.
13. Phil Brown (Uncle Owen)
George Lucas cast Phil Brown for the role of Uncle Owen while he was trying to find actors with a strong American accent. Just like Harry Fielder, he appeared in the Superman movie as a state senator, but he was credited.
The actor passed away on February 6, 2006 at the age of 89 in Los Angeles, California.
14 – Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin)
Before appearing in Star Wars: Episode IV, he appeared in an extensive list of horror films. His most important role was in The Curse of Frankenstein released in 1957 where he played Victor Frankenstein.
The actor responsible for creating the Death Star passed away on August 11, 1994 when he was 81 years old.
15. Phil Eason (Yaddle)
Phil Eason appeared as Yaddle in the first episode of the prequel trilogy but it’s not like he’s actually Yaddle. He was a puppeteer who controlled the Jedi.
He and many others pass away in 2021 at the age of 60, like Carrie Fisher.
16 – Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
The original Wookiee actor got some new glory that will see the new cast of the third trilogy as he played Chewbacca in Episode VII which was released in 2015.
He has not attended Episode VIII since his death on April 30, 2019, at the age of 74.
17 Ralph McQuarrie (Rebel General Farrell MacQuarrie)
Macquarie was a concept artist, and the character he portrayed was made as a cameo on screen in Episode V, hence the anagram of his name – Farrell.
The artist and actor passed away in 2012 at the age of 82. Some of his works have included Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and E.T
18 – Sheilagh Fraser (Aunt Beru)
Aunt Beru can be put in the same category that Uncle Ben sees as Luke Skywalker’s aunt. The actress is best known for her role in the TV series A Family at War.
Schelagh died 6 years before Brown’s return in 2000 when he was 79 years old.
19. Sebastian Shaw (Darth Vader)
Did you know that even the Shaws didn’t know he was cast as Darth Vader until the movie came out? The reason for that is because they wanted to make it as dramatic as possible when the reveal came at the end of Return of the Jedi and they certainly succeeded.
The actor passed away at the age of 89 on December 23, 1994. It’s been many years since his death, but he’s still one of the greatest villains we love.
20. Trisha Noble (Gopal Naberi)
Trisha Noble may have had a minor role in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but it was nice to see Padme’s mother come alive on screen. She won an award in 1962, but it wasn’t for acting. Instead, she won a Logie Award for Best Female Singer.
The actress passed away in 2021 at the age of 76, 15 years after she retired from singing and acting.
21 – William Hotkins (Jake Borkins)
Jek Porkins, the first rebel pilot to die in a Death Star attack, will be remembered for years to come. The actor was born in 1948 and passed away in 2005 at the age of 57.
He’s played a minor role in Batman, Superman, Indiana Jones, and Raiders of the Lost Ark too but since you’re reading this and have come this far, you probably remember him from Star Wars.
22. Ray Stephenson (Saxon’s neighbor)
Born in 1964, Ray Stephenson will be remembered as the voice behind Gar Saxon on “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels.” Stevenson was set to star in the upcoming “Ahsoka” series as villain Baylan Skoll. Stevenson died on May 21, 2023, at the age of 58, during a production of Cassino in Ischia, Italy. This unfortunate event occurred just four days before his fifty-ninth birthday.
