Alfie Curtis dead: Star Wars actor also known for role in the Elephant Man dies aged 87

The actor appeared in 1977 film A New Hope's iconic Mos Eisley Cantina scene

Star Wars actor Alfie Curtis, who appeared in 1977 film Episode IV: A New Hope, has died at the age of 87.

The London-born star, who also appeared in 1980 film The Elephant Man opposite John Hurt, memorably played the role of Dr. Evazan, the character who threatened Luke Skywalker during the iconic Mos Eisley Cantina scene.

"You just watch yourself - I have the death sentence on 12 systems," he tells Skywalker, the actor of whom - Mark Hamill - paid tribute to Curtis on Twitter.

“Alfie Curtis made the #Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina scene (one of the most memorable I've ever been a part of) even MORE memorable. As horrific as he was on-camera, off-camera he was funny, kind & a real gentleman,” Hamill - who stars in most recent Star Wars film The Last Jedi - wrote.

His character is killed by Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Curtis' death comes exactly one year after Princess Leia actor Carrie Fisher died at the age of 60 in December 2016.

The actor's other credits include 1980s TV series Cribb.

His cause of death has not been confirmed but was confirmed by the website Comic Book Star Wars.