Richard LeParmentier: Admiral Motti in 'Star Wars'

Richard LeParmentier, who died on 16 April aged 66, was a character actor who as a young Death Star commander learned the hard way that Darth Vader brooks no disrespect (AP)

Richard LeParmentier, who died on 16 April aged 66, was a character actor who as a young Death Star commander learned the hard way that Darth Vader brooks no disrespect.

As Admiral Motti in 1977's Star Wars, LeParmentier's character mocks Vader's "sad devotion to that ancient Jedi religion." Vader responds by using the Force to choke the young commander, but allows him to live.

LeParmentier was born in Pittsburgh, but moved to Britain in 1974 and was living in Bath, though he died in Austin, Texas, where he was visiting his children. He appeared frequently on British television throughout his career and was working as a screenwriter when he died. He played a reporter in 1980's Superman II, which featured actress Sarah Dougless – the villainess Ursa – with whom he was married from 1981 until 1984. But it was for Star Wars that LeParmentier will be best remembered as an actor.

"He absolutely loved traveling the world and meeting his friends and fellow Stars Wars fans, whose tributes have given us all the best lines in this message," LeParmentier's family said in a statement.