Alfie Curtis, who played the wanted outlaw Dr. Evazan in “Star Wars,” died this week at age 87, according to multiple media reports. His cause of death is not yet known.
“Star Wars” fans know Dr. Evazan as the man who attempted to intimidate Luke Skywalker when he visited the Mos Eisley cantina early in the famous 1977 film. “You just watch yourself. We’re wanted men,” he famously warned the future Jedi before he was chopped down by Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber. “I have the death sentence on 12 systems.”
According to the Star Wars website, Evazan was once a promising medical surgeon, but was forced to turn to smuggling after he was exposed for engaging in cruel medical experiments. Curtis had a much more respectable background, also appearing in the 1980 film “The Elephant Man” and the 80s British TV series “Cribb.”
“Alfie Curtis made the ‘Star Wars’ Mos Eisley Cantina scene (one of the most memorable I’ve ever been a part of) even MORE memorable,” wrote “Star Wars” legend Mark Hamill in a tweet. “As horrific as he was on-camera, off-camera he was funny, kind & a real gentleman.”
ALFIE CURTIS made the #StarWars Mos Eisley Cantina scene (one of the most memorable I’ve ever been a part of) even MORE memorable. As horrific as he was on-camera, off-camera he was funny, kind & a real gentleman. Thanks Alf- you’ll be missed. #RIP ❤️- mh pic.twitter.com/laxKvbGmrd
— @HamillHimself (@HamillHimself) December 27, 2017