Memorial of deceased actors, artists, and authors

This is a memorial page for deceased actors, artists, and authors.

Deaths in 1978

 * Leigh Brackett wrote the first draft of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. She passed away on March 18, 1978 after a battle with cancer.

Deaths in 1979

 * Graham Ashley portrayed Gold Five in Episode 4. He died on October 30, 1979.

Deaths in 1981

 * Russ Manning was the writer and penciller of the Star Wars newspaper comic strip from 1979-1980. He died of cancer on January 12, 1981.
 * Eddie Byrne portrayed General Vanden Willard in Episode 5. He died on August 2, 1981.

Deaths in 1987

 * Richard Marquand directed Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. He died on September 4, 1987 of a heart attack.

Deaths in 1990

 * Alex McCrindle portrayed Jan Dodonna in Episode 4. He passed away April 20, 1990.

Deaths in 1992

 * Anthony Lang portrayed BoShek in Episode 4. He died on March 2, 1992.

Deaths in 1994

 * Peter Cushing portrayed Grand Moff Tarkin in A New Hope. He passed away in August.
 * Tarik, the primary source for the voice of Chewbacca passed away in 1994 due to congestive heart failure. He was a black bear living in San Jose's Happy Hollow Zoo.
 * Sebastian Shaw portrayed Anakin Skywalker in the original version of Return of the Jedi. He died December 23, 1994.

Deaths in 1995

 * Morris Bush played Dengar in Episode 5. He died in 1995.

Deaths in 1996

 * Brian Daley was the author of The Han Solo Adventures and the Star Wars Radio Dramas. He passed away on February 11, 1996 from pancreatic cancer.
 * Jeremy Sinden portrayed Tiree in Episode 4. He died on May 29, 1996.

Deaths in 1997

 * Don Henderson portrayed General Cassio Tagge in Episode 4. He died on June 22, 1997.
 * Jack Purvis portrayed the Chief Jawa and Ugnaught in Episodes 4 and 5, as well as Teebo in Episode 6. He died in November of 1997.

Deaths in 1998

 * Archie Goodwin wrote numerous stories for the Star Wars newspaper comic strip and the Marvel Star Wars series. He passed away from cancer on March 1, 1998.

Deaths in 1999

 * Mary Kay Bergman voiced 5 characters in the Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace video game. She committed suicide on November 11, 1999.

Deaths in 2000

 * Gil Kane was an illustrator for Marvel Star Wars. He died January 31, 2000.
 * George Roussos was an illustrator for Marvel Star Wars. He died February 19, 2000.
 * Alfredo Alcala was an illustrator of many Classic Star Wars comics. He died of cancer on April 8, 2000.
 * Alec Guinness portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episodes 4-6. He died August 5, 2000.
 * Shelagh Fraser portrayed Aunt Beru in Episode 4. She died September 13, 2000.

Deaths in 2001

 * Ted Burnett portrayed Wuher the Bartender in Episode 4. He died on October 1, 2001.

Deaths in 2002

 * Claire Davenport portrayed Yarna d'al' Gargan in Episode 6. She died on March 4, 2002.
 * George Alec Effinger wrote The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays. He died on April 27, 2002.
 * Des Webb portrayed the wampa in Episode 5. He died on May 21, 2002.

Deaths in 2003

 * Art Carney portrayed Saun Dann in The Star Wars Holiday Special. He died of natural causes on November 7, 2003 at the age of 85.

Deaths in 2004

 * Peter Diamond was the stunt coordinator on Episodes 4 and 5, and assisted with stunts on Episode 6. He also played stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders and a snowtrooper throughout the trilogy. He died on March 27, 2004.
 * Bruce Boa portrayed General Rieekan in Episode 5. He died on April 17, 2004.

Deaths in 2005

 * Brock Peters voiced Darth Vader in the Star Wars radio adaptations. He passed away on August 23, 2005.
 * Michael Sheard portrayed Admiral Kendal Ozzel in The Empire Strikes Back. He died on August 31, 2005 after a battle with cancer.
 * Hamilton Camp was the voice of Rune Haako in Galactic Battlegrounds. He died of a heart attack on October 2, 2005.
 * Charles Rocket voiced Nym in Star Wars: Starfighter and Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter. He died on October 7, 2005.
 * John Hollis portrayed Lobot in The Empire Strikes Back. He passed away on October 18, 2005.
 * William Hootkins portrayed Jek Porkins in A New Hope. He passed away on October 23, 2005 from pancreatic cancer.

Deaths in 2006

 * Phil Brown played Owen Lars in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. He died on February 9, 2006.
 * Paul Gleason played Jeremitt Towani in Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. He passed away due to Mesothelioma on May 27, 2006.
 * Tim Hildebrandt did artwork for the Shadows of the Empire project. He died from diabetes on June 11, 2006.
 * Dave Cockrum was a comic book artist who created several covers for the Marvel Star Wars series. He passed away on November 26, 2006.

Deaths in 2007

 * Christine Hewett played Shada D'ukal, one of the "Tonnika sisters", in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. She passed away on September 19, 2007.

Deaths in 2008

 * Mark Haigh-Hutchinson was the project leader for Star Wars: Rogue Squadron and Shadows of the Empire, and worked on other Star Wars games. He passed away on January 15, 2008, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
 * John Alvin was an artist for various  Star Wars posters, book covers, and video covers. His work included the Jedi Academy trilogy covers and the poster for Celebration IV in 2007. He passed away on February 6, 2008 from a heart attack.