STAR Wars legend Michael Pennington has died aged 82.
The veteran stage and screen actor, who is best known for his role as Moff Jerjerrod in Return of the Jedi, is thought to have passed away, according to The Telegraph.
The cause of death is currently unknown.
Pennington’s other film credits include as Laertes in Hamlet (1969), alongside Anthony Hopkins, and as former Labour Party leader Michael Foot in The Iron Lady (2011), alongside Meryl Streep.
He also appeared in TV shows The Bill, The Tudors and Father Brown, as well as TV movie The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
His agent Lesley Duff told The Sun he had been living at Denville Hall, a care home for retired actors, in his later years.
His good friend and fellow screen veteran Miriam Margolyes confirmed news of his passing in a post uploaded to her social media.
The Harry Potter actress emotionally penned: “Michael Pennington has died.
“An old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear. I am sad beyond measure.
“Bless your dear memory. Old chum.”
Replying to a comment underneath her post, the actress said: “It happened v recently at Denville Hall. I am sad to confirm.”
Tributes soon poured in following the sad news.
One devastated fan wrote: “May the force be with you brother.”
Another called the actor a “legend”, writing: “May he rest in peace.”
Pennington’s death comes just a year after his partner Author Prue Skene passed away aged 81.
As well as his screen work, Michael was an acclaimed figure in the theatre world, having appeared in scores of Shakespeare productions.
In 1986, Michael co-founded the English Shakespeare Company and was the joint artistic director until 1992.
He was also an associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Pennington married actress Katharine Barker in 1964, and they welcomed a son, Mark, before they divorced in 1967.