‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ Star Michael Pennington Has Passed Away at 82

The Star Wars world is mourning today, as Michael Pennington, who played Death Star commander Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod in Return of the Jedi, has passed away at the age of 82.

Born on June 7, 1943, in Cambridge, Pennington was educated at Marlborough College before becoming a member of the National Youth Theatre.

In 1964, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, famously portraying Fortinbras in Hamlet alongside David Warner in 1965.

Photo: Michael Pennington

He left the company in 1966 before returning in 1974 to play Angelo in Measure for Measure.

Stage Stardom

Over time, Pennington became one of the company’s brightest stars, portraying Hamlet in 1980-81, Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Edgar in King Lear.

Photo: BBC

In 1986, Pennington and Michael Bogdanov founded the English Shakespeare Company, and he would continue working on stage productions for decades.

‘Return of the Jedi’

While Pennington was a titan of the British stage, he is perhaps best known in America for his performance as Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod in Return of the Jedi, playing the Imperial officer tasked with overseeing construction of the second Death Star.

Photo: Star Wars Autographs

In a 2012 interview, Pennington jokingly reflected that he may have overacted in the role.

“I look at it now and I think I overact horribly and I can’t even remember the storyline,” he said.

Despite his own misgivings, Pennington became beloved within the Star Wars community.

Photo: merca20.com

“Whenever I come out of the Stage Door after a performance, all people would ask about was ‘Star Wars,’” he later reflected.

Later Career

Following Return of the Jedi, Pennington returned primarily to the British stage, though he also delivered a memorable performance as Michael Foot in The Iron Lady.

Photo: Forbes

News of Pennington’s passing was confirmed by The Telegraph.