Star Wars actor Michael Culver dies at 85: Fans praise ‘unforgettable’ talent as Empire Strikes Back and A Passage To India star passes away
British actor Michael Culver, famous for his cameo role in the iconic science fiction epic The Empire Strikes Back, has died aged 85.
Culver’s death was announced on Wednesday by his agent and comes after the actor endured a long battle with ill health. His cause of death has not been announced.
They confirmed the actor’s passing in a statement, saying: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver.
‘A career spanning over 50 years with notable roles in Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Secret Army and of course one of the most memorable death scenes from the Star Wars franchise.
Michael largely retired from acting in the early 2000s to focus his efforts on his political activism.
British actor Michael Culver, famous for his cameo role in the iconic science fiction epic The Empire Strikes Back (pictured, right), has died aged 85
Culver’s death was announced on Wednesday by his agent and comes after the actor endured a long battle with ill health
It has been an honor to represent Michael over the last ten years and take him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe.
‘A real highlight was taking Michael to Celebration in Chicago in 2019. He was speechless when he saw his line with almost 200 people waiting for him.
“We worked with Michael three weeks ago on his final home signing with our friends at Elite Signatures.
‘Michael passed away on Tuesday, February 27 at the age of 85. We miss him.’
Born in Hampstead and trained at the London Academy of Dramatic Art, Culver began his career on stage at the Dundee Repertory Theatre, where he appeared in 35 plays over a two-year period, before moving on to classic Shakespeare in The Old Vic and the more contemporary Ibsen in London’s West End.
His first uncredited film role came in 1963 with a fleeting appearance in the James Bond classic From Russia With Love. Two years later, he would return to the spy franchise, playing a Vulcan bomber crew member in Thunderball.
But his most lasting role on the big screen would come in 1980, with a role in the Irvin Kershner-directed Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back.
The actor starred in an extensive cast as Captain Lorth Needa, a veteran fleet officer responsible for commanding the Avenger, an Imperial Star Destroyer within Darth Vader’s massive squadron.
Culver began his career in theater before switching to television and film in the early 1960s. Here he is seen in a 1965 episode of Court Martial
His most enduring role would come in 1980, with a part in the Irvin Kershner-directed Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back, playing the doomed Imperial Captain Lorth Needa.
In 1986 he co-starred with the late Jeremy Brett in The Return of Sherlock Holmes, playing Sir Reginald Musgrave (pictured)
Needa ultimately faces Vadar’s wrath and an untimely end, with the Dark Lord using the Force to telekinetically strangle him.
Paying tribute to the actor on
‘He also had various roles in many stage, film and radio productions.’
Culver was last seen in David Lean’s 1982 historical epic A Passage To India, in which he starred as Major McBryde alongside Peggy Ashcroft, James Fox and Sir Alec Guinness.
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