Tributes pour in for Star Wars star Michael Culver as devastated fans mourn the actor's death age 85
![Tributes pour in for Star Wars star Michael Culver as devastated fans mourn
the actors death age 85](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=%2Fuploads%2Fnews%2F55%2F5585%2F3%2F5585306-tributes-pour-in-for-star-wars-star-michael-culver-as-devastated-fans-mourn-the-.jpg&w=750&hash=359b5d827b3da1a8debb8c1b283ce8c7)
By Kirsten Murray For Mailonline
Published: 15:34 GMT, 13 March 2024 | Updated: 16:10 GMT, 13 March 2024
Tributes have poured in after the death of Star Wars star Michael Culver was announced on Wednesday.
The actor, famed for his cameo role in iconic science fiction epic The Empire Strikes Back, passed away aged 85 on February 27.
Announcing his death, Michael's agent confirmed his passing comes after the actor suffered a long battle with poor health, but did not disclose the exact cause.
As tributes poured in from devastated fans, the official account of the late Thunderbird creator Gerry Anderson, Anderson Entertainment, expressed their grief.
They wrote: 'We're sad to learn of the passing on February 27th of actor Michael Culver, who played, among many other roles, Eagle pilot Pete Irving in the Space:1999 episode Guardian of Piri.
![Tributes have poured in for Star Wars star Michael Culver as devastated fans mourn the actor's death age 85](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82420369-13192595-image-a-21_1710342311375.jpg&w=728&hash=2dde7a161438afc8cf5729d9ecc1b885)
![Tributes have poured in for Star Wars star Michael Culver as devastated fans mourn the actor's death age 85](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82420369-13192595-image-a-21_1710342311375.jpg&w=728&hash=2dde7a161438afc8cf5729d9ecc1b885)
Tributes have poured in for Star Wars star Michael Culver as devastated fans mourn the actor's death age 85
![The actor, famed for his cameo role in iconic science fiction epic The Empire Strikes Back, passed away aged 85 on February 27](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82420399-13192595-image-a-39_1710343556779.jpg&w=728&hash=1982254634ef24ac3886ac951b42d431)
![The actor, famed for his cameo role in iconic science fiction epic The Empire Strikes Back, passed away aged 85 on February 27](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82420399-13192595-image-a-39_1710343556779.jpg&w=728&hash=1982254634ef24ac3886ac951b42d431)
The actor, famed for his cameo role in iconic science fiction epic The Empire Strikes Back, passed away aged 85 on February 27
'Our thoughts go out to all who knew him.'
Meanwhile the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes Podcast wrote: 'Dear Michael Culver, our beloved Reginald Musgrave, has sadly passed away.
'As you all know The Musgrave Ritual is one of our very favourite episodes, for a multiple of reasons, one being the performance of Mr. Culver.
'Michael had been ill for some time, but this did not stop this strong, principled man from continuing to live and work and speak out for the causes he had so strongly fought for throughout his life.
'Michael was not just an extraordinary actor, but was an extraordinary man. This one hurts even more as we were lucky a year or so ago to speak to him about his time on the show, and what a gentleman he was to all of us.'
They added: 'Though his light shines a little dimmer than it did, it shall never go out for his work and legacy lives on in shows such as the one we adore, and in the causes he so passionately fought for and the lives he changed and made better.
'We thank Michael for all that he has given us, and our thoughts are with his family and all that knew him at this time. God speed Michael.'
Confirming the actor's passing in a statement, they said: 'We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver.
![As tributes poured in from devastated fans, the official account of the late Thunderbird creator Gerry Anderson, Anderson Entertainment, expressed their grief](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82418231-13192595-image-a-23_1710342333943.jpg&w=728&hash=47461f44409b89558fcedd37f86c75f7)
![As tributes poured in from devastated fans, the official account of the late Thunderbird creator Gerry Anderson, Anderson Entertainment, expressed their grief](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82418231-13192595-image-a-23_1710342333943.jpg&w=728&hash=47461f44409b89558fcedd37f86c75f7)
As tributes poured in from devastated fans, the official account of the late Thunderbird creator Gerry Anderson, Anderson Entertainment, expressed their grief
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![Tributes flooded in from heartbroken fans from Star Wars accounts](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82422139-13192595-image-a-31_1710343259636.jpg&w=728&hash=2a63c5b0d964eab1f00834d9c6046aa8)
![Tributes flooded in from heartbroken fans from Star Wars accounts](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82422139-13192595-image-a-31_1710343259636.jpg&w=728&hash=2a63c5b0d964eab1f00834d9c6046aa8)
Tributes flooded in from heartbroken fans from Star Wars accounts
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!['Our hearts go out to his friends & family' wrote The Star Wars Underworld](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82418217-13192595-image-a-28_1710342404324.jpg&w=728&hash=1b4e5be68e05eb60b83bd660cba40b6e)
!['Our hearts go out to his friends & family' wrote The Star Wars Underworld](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82418217-13192595-image-a-28_1710342404324.jpg&w=728&hash=1b4e5be68e05eb60b83bd660cba40b6e)
'Our hearts go out to his friends & family' wrote The Star Wars Underworld
The Star Wars Hub added: 'Michael Culver, may he rest in peace: 16/06/1938 - 27/02/2024.
Star Wars Holocron wrote: 'Michael Culver has sadly passed away at the age of 85. Culver played Captain Lorth Needa in The Empire Strikes Back. May the Force be with him, always.'
The Star Wars Underworld penned: 'We are saddened to report that actor Michael Culver has passed away at the age of 85.
'Culver was best know to #StarWars fans for portraying Captain Lorth Needa in ‘#TheEmpireStrikesBack’. He also had a variety of roles across many stage, screen and radio productions.
'Our hearts go out to his friends & family.'
Sprybrary podcast host Shane Whaley wrote: 'He is better known for his Star Wars work but to me, #MichaelCulver will always be Dicky Cruyer from Len Deightons Game, Set and Match TV series- RIP.'
Confirming the actor's passing in a statement his agent said: 'We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver.
'A career spanning over 50 years with notable roles in Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Secret Army and of course one of the most memorable death scenes in the Star Wars franchise.
![Confirming the actor's passing in a statement his agent said: 'We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver. It's been an honor to have represented Michael for for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe'](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82415857-13192595-British_actor_Michael_Culver_famed_for_his_cameo_role_in_iconic_-a-34_1710343480908.jpg&w=728&hash=85e8ddaa018e3f4cdee3fa8dcc66036b)
![Confirming the actor's passing in a statement his agent said: 'We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver. It's been an honor to have represented Michael for for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe'](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82415857-13192595-British_actor_Michael_Culver_famed_for_his_cameo_role_in_iconic_-a-34_1710343480908.jpg&w=728&hash=85e8ddaa018e3f4cdee3fa8dcc66036b)
Confirming the actor's passing in a statement his agent said: 'We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver. It's been an honor to have represented Michael for for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe'
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![In spirits with his role in Star Wars fans wished 'may the Force be with you'](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82422361-13192595-image-a-38_1710343542756.jpg&w=728&hash=8bcbf4767d403d5c951595c74dd13b1b)
![In spirits with his role in Star Wars fans wished 'may the Force be with you'](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2024%2F03%2F13%2F15%2F82422361-13192595-image-a-38_1710343542756.jpg&w=728&hash=8bcbf4767d403d5c951595c74dd13b1b)
In spirits with his role in Star Wars fans wished 'may the Force be with you'
'Michael largely gave up acting in the early 2000's to concentrate his efforts into his political activism.
'It's been an honor to have represented Michael for 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 3 weeks ago at his last home signing with our friends at Elite Signatures.
'Michael died on Tuesday 27th February at the age of 85. We miss him.'
Other fans rushed to offer their condolences as they penned: 'Rest in Peace, and may the Force be with you, Captain'.