British actor Michael Pennington, known for his role in the movie “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi,” died at the age of 82 on May 10.
In this film, he played Moff Jerjerrod, the Imperial admiral responsible for constructing the second Death Star. Pennington also starred in Tony Richardson’s adaptation of Hamlet (1969) and The Iron Lady (2011).
Most of his screen work has been on television. Recent projects include “Raised by Wolves,” “Journey,” “Endeavour,” “Father Brown,” and “Silent Witness.” He also portrayed Sherlock Holmes in a 1987 TV movie and starred in the 1989 series The War of the Roses.
Pennington’s fame extended to theater. In 1980, he turned down the lead role alongside Meryl Streep in Karel Reise’s 1981 drama “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” to perform Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Pennington later stated that he could not let go of the role, calling it one of his most significant achievements. He was eventually replaced by Jeremy Irons, and the film earned five Academy Award nominations.
From 1961 to 2016, Pennington worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and in 1986 he co-founded the English Shakespeare Company. He has written numerous works based on Shakespeare’s plays as well as his own solo performances. Additionally, Pennington authored several books, including a memoir and a semi-fictional short story about the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.
