Star Wars has persisted as a cultural phenomenon for so many years now that it's easy to forget how long ago it was that the first entry in the franchise hit movie theatres. 40 years since that day, there are still
Star Wars movies, spin-offs, toys, video games and TV shows, with even more to come in the following years.
Both Star Wars: The Force Awakens and
Star Wars: The Last Jedi reminded us of the time that has past, both for the returning characters of Han Solo,
Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, and the characters that they portrayed. Those who were once young upcoming stars in Hollywood have now had lengthy careers, meaning those who were older when they appeared in the original trilogy are of old age by now.
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One such actor is Alfie Curtis, who passed away this week at the age of 87. Alfie Curtis was a London-born actor who is perhaps best remembered for his creepy role in Star Wars: A New Hope. In 1977, when the actor was 47, he played the part of the dangerous drunk named Dr. Evazan. Luke Skywalker, still a naive boy from the middle of nowhere, ran afoul of his bad temper during the now-iconic bar scene in Mos Eisley Cantina.
As he threatened Luke, played by Mark Hamill, he told him that his friend didn't like him, before exclaiming: "I don't like you either! You just watch yourself! We're wanted men. I have the death sentence on twelve systems. I have the death sentence on 12 systems."
Soon after, he attacks Luke in a rage, along with his partner in crime, but Obi-Wan Kenobi steps in. The Jedi master makes quick work of him by brandishing his lightsaber, making sure he's doesn't try anything further.
Mark Hamill, who returned to the series in this month's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, tweeted a tribute to the actor this morning once he heard of his passing.
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His caption read:
"Alfie Curtis made the Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina scene - one of the most memorable I've ever been a part of - even more memorable."
"As horrific as he was on-camera, off-camera he was funny, kind and a real gentleman. Thanks Alf - you'll be missed."
This isn't the only time Hamill has paid tribute to a fellow Star Wars actor this week. He paid tribute to his co-star Carrie Fisher, who played Leia Organa, this week. December 27 is the one year anniversary of Fisher's death, to which Hamill posted this tweet in memory:
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"No one's ever really gone," he captioned the photoset, adding "#AlwaysWithUs #CarrieOnForever"
The news that Curtis, who was also known for his roles in The Elephant Man, the mini-series The Lost Empire and the 80s TV series Cribb, had passed away broke on Tuesday evening, though the cause of his death is not known.
