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Actor Michael Pennington, Shakespeare Co-Founder, Dies at 82

5/11/2026

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Summary

Pennington Dies

Michael Pennington died at age 82 in England earlier this month.
He co-founded the Shakespeare Company in 1986, led it until 1992, and was a Royal Shakespeare Company associate artist.
He portrayed Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and Laertes in Hamlet (1969).
He appeared as Michael Foot in The Iron Lady (2011) and voiced The Trust in Raised By Wolves.

Summary

Pennington Honored

Industry peers and fans flooded social media with tributes after Pennington’s death, led by actress Miriam Margolyes.
The Royal Shakespeare Company noted his Honorary Associate Artist status and praised his lasting influence on Shakespearean performance.
Colleagues remembered his hospitality, saying he often cooked meals and gave jars of homemade quince butter to fellow actors.

History

Historical Context

Peter Hall took charge of Stratford’s Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1960 and, after securing a royal charter on 20 March 1961, transformed it into the Royal Shakespeare Company, establishing a permanent ensemble and a London base at the Aldwych. The rebuilt Royal Shakespeare Theatre, reopened in 2010 with a 1,060-seat thrust stage, continues the company’s tradition of year-round productions across Stratford, London and touring.

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Pennington Dies

Michael Pennington died at age 82 in England earlier this month.
He co-founded the Shakespeare Company in 1986, led it until 1992, and was a Royal Shakespeare Company associate artist.
He portrayed Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and Laertes in Hamlet (1969).
He appeared as Michael Foot in The Iron Lady (2011) and voiced The Trust in Raised By Wolves.

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