Star Wars and James Bond actor Michael Culver dies

Star Wars and James Bond actor Michael Culver has died at the age of 85.

In the iconic 1980 Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back, he played Captain Lorth Needa and met his end at the hand of the villainous Darth Vader.

Described as a "classic English actor" by his agent, he also had two smaller roles in James Bond movies and later in life became a passionate political activist.

Mr Culver's agency announced today that he died at home on 27 February.

The actor's agent, Thomas Bowington, paid tribute to him, telling Sky News: "The part in Star Wars was one of the smallest parts he ever played and became one of the biggest in his life.

"He belonged to the backbone of the nation, he wasn't a star like a Michael Caine, but everything he did was always never less than excellent.

"He always delivered. He was one of those classic English character actors who could play anything.

"He was really old school, always on time, always committed, always prepared. Totally a professional. The drama was always on stage and on the screen only."

Mr Bowington also touched on Mr Culver's passion for politics and said that had he not started out in acting, influenced by his father - the late stage actor Ronald Culver - he could have ended up as a politician.

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Alongside Star Wars, Mr Culver played characters in two James Bond movies, From Russia With Love and Thunderball.

During the final scene of From Russia With Love, the second James Bond movie, Mr Culver rides a gondola nearby as Sean Connery and Daniela Bianchi kiss.

Mr Culver also appeared in an episode of the ITV series Sherlock Holmes, a 1984 film adaption of E M Forster's A Passage To India and a 1970s TV series of Persuasion, based on Jane Austen's novel.

His career also featured many roles in the theatre.

In a statement, Alliance Agents said: "It's been an honour to have represented Michael for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe.

"A real highlight was taking Michael to Celebration in Chicago in 2019. He was lost for words when he saw his queue line with nearly 200 people waiting to see him.

"We worked with Michael just three weeks ago at his last home signing with our friends at Elite Signatures.

"We miss him."