Richard Bonehill, an actor with several parts in the “Star Wars” franchise and other high-profile action projects, has died at age 67.
England’s Truro Fencing Club, where Bonehill once served as fight director and head coach, first reported the news via Twitter on Wednesday.
“We are sad to announce the sudden passing of our President & former Head Coach Richard Bonehill. A great leader & an inspiration,” the tweet read. The actor’s cause of death is still unknown.
Bonehill played aliens including Nien Nunb, fighter pilots and a Rebel Soldier in “The Empire Strikes Back” in 1980 and “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. With stuntman also on his resume, Bonehill worked in “Flash Gordon,” the 1986 feature “Highlander,” “Rob Roy” and the BBC’s “Doctor Who.”
We are sad to announce the sudden passing of our President & former Head Coach Richard Bonehill. A great leader & an inspiration
— Truro Fencing Club (@trurofencing) February 4, 2015
As far as the “Star Wars” universe is concerned, Bonehill chose a favorite among his roles in a 2006 interview with a fan blog.
“At the time my favorite part was that of a Rebel Soldier, purely because it was the most comfortable costume to wear. The masked aliens such as Ree-Yees were the most uncomfortable. Over the years I have become very attached and proud to have been a Snowtrooper and Stormtrooper,” he said.
“The Stormtrooper really has become an iconic symbol of the Empire so I would pick him as my favorite character.”