British actor Michael Pennington dies at 82, The Telegraph reported Sunday, after a long stage and screen career that included his role as Moff Jerjerrod in “Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.”
Pennington appeared in the 1983 film as the Death Star commander who receives orders from Darth Vader, a role that remained popular with “Star Wars” fans for decades.
The actor later reflected critically on the performance in a 2012 interview, saying he thought he had overacted and barely remembered the storyline. He said the role still gave him a lasting “calling card” for film work.
Pennington also said theatre audiences often asked him about “Star Wars” after performances, though interest in “The Iron Lady” had grown by 2012.
His career extended across major stage and screen roles. He played Laertes in a 1969 production of “Hamlet” and portrayed British politician Michael Foot in the 2011 film “The Iron Lady” alongside Meryl Streep.
In 1986, Pennington co-founded the English Shakespeare Company with theatre director Michael Bogdanov. The company focused on promoting the work of William Shakespeare and became a major part of Pennington’s theatre legacy.
Pennington married actress Katharine Barker in 1964. They had a son, Mark, before divorcing in 1967. His partner, arts administrator Prue Skene, died last year.
