Michael Culver
The “Star Wars” actor has died at the age of 85
Michael Culver became internationally known for his role in “Star Wars”.
© Richard Keith Wolff/Avalon/Getty Images
In “The Empire Strikes Back” he dies one of the most iconic film deaths of all time. Michael Culver has now died at the age of 85.
The British actor Michael Culver is dead. Like, among other things The tabloid “The Sun” announced, citing a statement from his agents, that Culver died on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the age of 85 after a long illness. He will be missed, his spokesmen said. The actor is best known for his legendary “Star Wars” role as Captain Lorth Needa in the “Star Wars” sequel “The Empire Strikes Back” from 1980.
Culver was already a sought-after actor in the early 1960s. Among other things, he appeared in smaller roles in the two James Bond films “From Moscow with Love” (1963) and “Fireball” (1965) alongside 007 Sean Connery (1930-2020). The Hampstead-born actor also starred in the British cult series “With Umbrella, Charm and Bowler Hat”. In total, Culver appeared in a total of 130 productions, most recently mainly in British TV productions.
In his iconic appearance as Captain Lorth Needa, Culver is killed by “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader – via telekinetic strangulation. The statement from his reps said: “We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver.” His agents described the “Star Wars” scene in question as “one of the most memorable death scenes in the entire series.”