Jeremy Bulloch, ‘Star Wars’ actor who played bounty hunter Boba Fett, dies at 75

For the 40th anniversary of “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” Mark Hamill (aka Luke Skywalker) reveals never-seen exclusive shots to USA TODAY. USA TODAY

Jeremy Bulloch, the mild-mannered British actor who portrayed feared bounty hunter Boba Fett in “Star Wars” films including “The Empire Strikes Back” and “The Return of the Jedi,” died Thursday at 75.

The death was confirmed on the official “Star Wars” Twitter account and by his longtime agent Kelly Andrews in a statement to USA TODAY.

“We are very sad to announce the death of actor Jeremy Bulloch, earlier today,” the statement said. “He died peacefully, in hospital, surrounded by his family, from health complications following his many years living with Parkinson’s disease. “

The “Star Wars” tribute on Twitter said Bulloch “will be remembered not only for his iconic portrayal of the legendary character, but also for his warmth and generous spirit which have become an enduring part of his rich legacy.”

Friend and protégé, Daniel Logan, who played the role in the prequel “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” wrote that he was in tears over the passing in an Instagram post featuring the two.

 “I’ll never forget all you’ve taught me,” Logan wrote. “May the force be with you always.”

Born on February 16, 1945 in Leicestershire, England, Bulloch landed his first big role at age 17 in the 1963 British musical film “Summer Holiday” which starred pop idol Cliff Richard. 

His long acting career included credits for the 1977 James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me” and the “Doctor Who” TV series between from 1965 to 1974.

But Bulloch will be remembered most for playing the masked “Star Wars” role. Speaking to USA TODAY in 2013, Bulloch said that “Star Wars” trilogy director George Lucas would have him stand for hours in the cumbersome Boba Fett outfit which featured the famed jet pack.

Boba Fett pursues the Millennium Falcon in “The Empire Strikes Back.”

 (Photo: LUCASFILM)

“If you leaned back slightly you could actually topple over because (the jet pack) was top-heavy,” Bulloch said. “You put it on, you hold the gun and you could see yourself getting so weighty. But the vanity of actors, when you looked at yourself in the mirror in the morning, I thought, ‘This costume looks fantastic.’ “

The biggest challenge was not acting too much portraying the mysterious character, he said.

“There’s no point in waving a gun around and saying, ‘I’m Boba Fett.’ That’s a bit weak,” Bulloch said. “The best thing to do is almost do nothing. Less is best, really.”

Bulloch said he had no problem being remembered as the “Star Wars” character, despite his long career acting in other parts.

“I played Hamlet when I was 17 and everybody tries to do Shakespeare, and it was lovely. People prefer you as Boba Fett, so that means that they prefer that I had a mask on and wasn’t performing on stage,” Bullochsaid. “But I’ve had a terrific career from the age of 12, and I’m still working. You never give up – it gives you up.”

“I’ll never forget ‘Star Wars.’ You can’t. It’s in your head probably every day,” he said.

Contributing: Brian Truitt

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/12/17/star-wars-veteran-jeremy-bulloch-who-played-boba-fett-dies-75/3948837001/