Jeremy Bulloch, the actor who originally portrayed bounty hunter Boba Fett in the first "Star Wars" trilogy (1977-1983), died Thursday (Dec. 17) at age 75.
The news was first confirmed by Bulloch's family on his private Facebook page, according to Deadline, and on a public Instagram post by Daniel Logan — the now 33-year-old actor who portrayed Fett in the prequel "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones" (2002). Bulloch is said to have died of complications of Parkinson's disease.
Bulloch's death comes just weeks after Temuera Morrison took on the role of Fett in the Disney Plus hit "The Mandalorian" (2019-present), which follows the bounty hunter known as the Mandalorian about five years after the events of "Return of the Jedi" (1983). In "The Mandalorian" Season 2 finale, which coincidentally released Friday (Dec. 18), a new Boba Fett series was announced for Disney Plus in December 2021, according to The Verge.
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But Bulloch's iconic performance as Fett still stays with fans and remains as an influence on the "Star Wars" franchise, especially sticking with the actors who worked with him during his long career.
"RIP Legend," Logan said in an all-caps post on Instagram, adding that he will "never forget all you've taught me" and that conventions would not be the same with Bulloch's absence. "May the Force be with you, always," Logan added.
"Jeremy Bulloch was the quintessential English gentleman," Mark Hamill, the long-time "Star Wars" actor who starred as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy (2015-2019), said on Twitter. "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."
Fett's most memorable moment on screen is arguably when he froze "Star Wars" hero Han Solo in carbonite in "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980). Bulloch wore Fett's armor in that film and in "Return of the Jedi" (1983) while Jason Wingreen provided the voice of Fett in both films.
Bulloch also made brief appearances in other "Star Wars" roles: a minor role in the widely lampooned "Star Wars Holiday Special" (1978), as Imperial officer Lieutenant Sheckil in "The Empire Strikes Back" (1983) and as Captain Colton in "Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" (2005), Deadline said.
Bulloch started acting at age 12 and has 109 movie credits to his name, according to the Internet Movie Database, between 1958 and 2016. Notably, he starred in the spy franchise "James Bond" as quartermaster Q's assistant Smithers in "For Your Eyes Only" (1981) and in "Octopussy" (1983). Bulloch also appeared several times in the 1965-1974 "Doctor Who" television series as characters Hal and Tor.
He retired from "Star Wars" fan events in 2018, saying in a brief letter to fans that "it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to stop attending conventions and hang up the Fett helmet."
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