Star Wars actor dies: His 'disturbing' Star Wars role outshone a long career

Star Wars actor Richard LeParmentier died this morning in Austin. "Every time we find someone's lack of faith disturbing, we'll think of him," said his family in a statement.

By Associated Press / April 16, 2013

Darth Vader makes his entrance in the 1977 movie 'Star Wars,' As Admiral Motti, actor Richard LeParmentier mocked Vader's 'sad devotion to that ancient Jedi religion.' Vader found his 'lack of faith ... disturbing,' in one of the most-quoted lines from the series.

Lucasfilm / AP

Enlarge

Character actor Richard LeParmentier, who as a young Death Star commander learned the hard way that Darth Vader brooks no disrespect, died Tuesday. He was 66. LeParmentier died suddenly Tuesday morning in Austin while visiting his children, said his publicist, Derek Maki. Maki said he does not know the cause.

Skip to next paragraph

' + google_ads[0].line2 + '
' + google_ads[0].line3 + '

'; } else if (google_ads.length > 1) { ad_unit += ''; } } document.getElementById("ad_unit").innerHTML += ad_unit; google_adnum += google_ads.length; return; } var google_adnum = 0; google_ad_client = "pub-6743622525202572"; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '1'; google_feedback = "on"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_adtest = "on"; google_image_size = '230x105'; google_skip = '0'; // -->

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of
The Christian Science Monitor
Weekly Digital Edition

LeParmentier was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., but moved to Britain in 1974 and had been living in Bath, England, when he died.

As Admiral Motti in 1977's "Star Wars," LeParmentier's character mocks Vader's "sad devotion to that ancient Jedi religion." Vader responds with a demonstration, using the force to choke the young commander, but allowing him to live.

LeParmentier appeared frequently in British television roles throughout his career and was working as a screenwriter when he died. He played a reporter in 1980's "Superman II," which featured actress Sarah Dougless ? the villainess Ursa ? with whom he was married from 1981 until 1984, according to their imdb.com profiles.

It was for his "Star Wars" role that LeParmentier may be best remembered as an actor.

"He absolutely loved traveling the world and meeting his friends and fellow Stars Wars fans, whose tributes have given us all the best lines in this message," LeParmentier's family said in a statement.

"He was no respecter of convention, except comic conventions," said Rhiannon, Stephanie, and Tyrone LeParmentier.

"Every time we find someone's lack of faith disturbing, we'll think of him," they said.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/ZX6L7mRer2Q/Star-Wars-actor-dies-His-disturbing-Star-Wars-role-outshone-a-long-career

chardon high school christopher plummer viola davis school shooting in ohio shooting at chardon high school sasha baron cohen stacy keibler