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Star Wars’ original Boba Fett actor Jeremy Bulloch dead at 75 after long battle with Parkinson’s disease

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  • The actor appeared in The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi as the body of Fett, while another actor voiced the role
  • Bulloch also had roles in the Roger Moore-fronted Bond films The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy 
  • He died at London’s Tooting’s St. George after ‘health complications’ and a fight with Parkinson’s
  • Bulloch was a regular on the convention and autograph circuit, keen on interacting with fans
  • He talked about appearing in Star Wars projects in 2013 saying: ‘The lovely thing is…if I’m wearing a helmet, no one knows how old I am’
  • The actor is survived by his wife Maureen, three sons, and ten grandchildren

Actor Jeremy Bulloch, famous for playing the bounty hunter Boba Fett in  Star Wars‘ The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi has died at age 75.

The British actor had appeared in over 100 projects at the time of his death, with roles in projects like the Roger Moore-fronted James Bonds movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy as well as several showings on Dr. Who in the 60s and 70s.

He died at London’s Tooting’s St George’s Hospital after several ‘health complications’ and a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to his personal website.

RIP: Star Wars actor James Bulloch, who played Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, has passed away at 75. He’s seen in 2017 above

Range: The British actor had appeared in over 100 projects at the time of his death, with roles in projects like James Bonds' The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy as well as several showings on Dr. Who in the 60s and 70s

Range: The British actor had appeared in over 100 projects at the time of his death, with roles in projects like James Bonds’ The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy as well as several showings on Dr. Who in the 60s and 70s

The statement went on to say: ‘He spent his final weeks in the wonderful care of the staff at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, close to the house where he and his wife Maureen had lived together for more than fifty years. Maureen and two of his sons, Jamie and Robbie, were with him during his final days.’

In addition to his long and happy life as an actor,’ the statement said  ‘away from the screen Jeremy was a talented footballer and cricketer.

‘He also supported a number of charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital who saved his granddaughter’s life. He was devoted to his wife, three sons and ten grandchildren, who all love him dearly and will miss him terribly.’

Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill shared a tribute online, writing: ‘Jeremy Bulloch was the quintessential English gentleman. A fine actor, delightful company & so kind to everyone lucky enough to meet or work with him. I will deeply miss him & am so grateful to have known him. �� #RIP_DearJeremy.’

Worth his weight: He also made cameos as Lieutenant Sheckil in The Empire Strikes Back and Captain Jeremoch Colton in Revenge of the Sith

Worth his weight: He also made cameos as Lieutenant Sheckil in The Empire Strikes Back and Captain Jeremoch Colton in Revenge of the Sith

Remembered: Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill shared a tribute online, writing: 'Jeremy Bulloch was the quintessential English gentleman

Remembered: Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill shared a tribute online, writing: ‘Jeremy Bulloch was the quintessential English gentleman

Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in Attack of The Clones, was one of the first people to share the news, taking to Instagram to share: ‘It brings me to tears to announce Jeremy Bulloch has passed away!!

‘RIP legend I’ll never forget all you’ve taught me!! I’ll love you forever!! Conventions won’t be the same without you may the force be with you always.’

While Bulloch is credited as Boba Fett, he only physically played the part with Jason Wingreen providing the voice in the original series.

But they made sure he earned his paycheck, also making cameos as Lieutenant Sheckil in The Empire Strikes Back and Captain Jeremoch Colton in Revenge of the Sith.

Sad: Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in Attack of The Clones, was one of the first people to share the news, taking to Instagram to share 'It brings me to tears to announce Jeremy Bulloch has passed away!!'

Sad: Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in Attack of The Clones, was one of the first people to share the news, taking to Instagram to share ‘It brings me to tears to announce Jeremy Bulloch has passed away!!’

Years later, he reappeared in the series during Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, where he portrayed Captain Jeremoch Colton, a man from Alderaan who piloted Kenobi, Bail Organa, and Yoda to the bustling planet of Coruscant.

Proving his love for the saga, he made small cameos in Star Wars fan films Order Of The Sith: Vengeance and its sequel Downfall – Order of the Sith in support of Save the Children.

He was also a regular on the convention and autograph circuit, keen on interacting with fans. He had to retire his signing Sharpie in 2018, however, saying it was ‘not an easy decision to make.’

And in 2004, he had a cameo in Mark Hamill’s Comic Book: The Movie which also featured some Star Wars alumni such as David Prowse and Peter Mayhew.

Under the helmet: He talked about appearing in Star Wars projects once more in a 2013 interview quoted by The Daily Beast , saying: 'The lovely thing is...if I'm wearing a helmet, no one knows how old I am.' Seen in Return Of The Jedi above

Under the helmet: He talked about appearing in Star Wars projects once more in a 2013 interview quoted by The Daily Beast, saying: ‘The lovely thing is…if I’m wearing a helmet, no one knows how old I am.’ Seen in Return Of The Jedi above

Though his appearances in the original films are brief, Bulloch’s influence can’t be denied, especially with renewed interest in the character from his appearance in The Mandalorian, in addition to rumors of a spinoff series about the bounty hunter.

He talked about appearing in Star Wars projects once more in a 2013 interview quoted by The Daily Beast, saying: ‘The lovely thing is…if I’m wearing a helmet, no one knows how old I am.’

The actor was born in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, one of six children and began acting at a young age, making his first TV commercial appearance at just 10-years-old.

Bulloch is survived by his +wife Maureen, three sons, and ten grandchildren.

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Valerie Milano is the well-connected Senior Editor and TV Critic at The Hollywood Times, a showbiz/promotions aggregate mainly for insiders. She has written for Communications Daily in DC, Discover Hollywood, Hollywood Today, Television International, and Video Age International in NYC. Valerie works closely with GLSEN, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign (Fed Club Council Member), LAMBDA Legal, NCLR, and Outfest. She is also a member of the LA Press Club. She is a lay minister and parishioner of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hollywood. Milano loves meeting people and does so in her getaway home in Palm Springs as a member of the Palm Springs Museum, Palm Springs Center and DAP Health (Partners for Life member). For years Valerie Milano had volunteered as a board member and one of the chief organizers for the Television Critics Association’s press tours. The tours take place twice a year in Beverly Hills/Pasadena.