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Christopher Malcolm dead: Tributes flood in for late Star Wars and Rocky Horror Show actor, who died aged 67

The star, whose film credits include The Empire Strikes Back, Labyrinth and Highlander, passed away “peacefully and with dignity” over the weekend

Jenn Selby
Tuesday 18 February 2014 16:42 GMT
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Christopher Malcolm in the Great Riviera Bank Robbery in 1979
Christopher Malcolm in the Great Riviera Bank Robbery in 1979

Tributes continue to pour in for the late Star Wars and Rocky Horror Show actor Christopher Malcolm.

The star, whose other film credits include The Empire Strikes Back, Labyrinth and Highlander, passed away “peacefully and with dignity” aged 67 over the weekend, his daughter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm confirmed on Twitter.

“He will always be my hero,” she added.

Malcolm played Rebel Force Zev Senesca (Rogue 2) in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

"At the time of filming it was a growing phenomenon so there was a knowledge that we were in something special, but there was also the normal physical grind of movie making," he told Jedi News in a 2006 interview.

"My stuff in the beginning had to be shot with a special camera and we had to wait days and days before they got the right effect for the blue screen. In fact the camera they used was very famous as it was the one that shot Gone With the Wind."

He also played the character Brad Majors in the original stage production of Richard O'Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show in 1974. He took over as a co-producer for the West End revival of the musical in 1990.

Rocky Horror actor Nathan Taylor tweeted: “I owe him so much, for believing in me, and giving me such a wonderful ride with #rockyhorror. Thank you Chris.”

His latest project, Oh What a Lovely War, opened at the Theatre Royal Stratford East just days before his death to critical acclaim.

“A very sad day. Our thoughts are with you all. Chris led the way with #OWALWonstage. Very proud. He is deeply missed,” the Theatre Royal Stratford East posted on Twitter.

Tributes were also paid from huge fan communities dedicated to both Star Wars and the Rocky Horror Show alike:

He is also known for his role as Saffy’s gay dad in BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous and appeared in Only Fools and Horses and Love Joy.

His work behind the curtain as a producer included credits on Flashdance, Footloose the Musical, Simon Callow's revival of The Pajama Game, A Slip of the Tongue starring John Malkovich and Alan Bennett’s Single Spies.

The Aberdeen-born star, who was raised in British Columbia in Canada, is survived by his wife, Judy Lloyd, his three children and his grandson.

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