Michael Pennington, Moff Jerjerrod in *Return of the Jedi*, Dies at 82

British actor Michael Vivian Fyfe Pennington died on Sunday, 10 May 2026, at age 82, per *The Telegraph*. The cause of death was not disclosed. *The Sun* reported he was living at Denville Hall, a care home for retired actors.

The Sun - US

Pennington entered screen work in 1965 with the BBC miniseries *The War of the Roses* and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company a year earlier. He co-founded the English Shakespeare Company in 1986 and later became an Honorary Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company. His stage work covered the Shakespeare canon, including *Hamlet*, *Richard II*, *Macbeth*, *King Lear* and *The Tempest*. On film he is best known as Moff Jerjerrod in *Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi* (1983). Other screen credits include Laertes in the 1969 *Hamlet* film, Michael Foot in *The Iron Lady* (2011), and guest spots on *The Tudors* and *Endeavour*.

Variety Magazine

*The Telegraph* confirmed Pennington’s death and noted his Cambridge birth on 7 June 1943. His agent Lesley Duff told *The Sun* he was residing at Denville Hall. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s records cite his ten-book authorship, direction of productions in the UK, US, Romania and Japan, and his honorary associate status.

Michael Pennington, Star Wars actor, dies at 82

Pennington downplayed his *Star Wars* fame. In a *Page Six* interview he said he thought his performance was overacted and he could not recall the storyline. He noted that after performances audiences frequently asked about his *Star Wars* role, though later they asked more about *The Iron Lady*.

Michael Pennington, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Actor, Dies at 82

All sources agree on Pennington’s age and death date. *The Sun* and his agent locate him at Denville Hall; other outlets simply state he died on Sunday without a setting. No cause of death has been released.

The Sun - US

• “I look at it now and I think I overact horribly and I can’t even remember the storyline,” — Michael Pennington

Page Six

• “Whenever I come out of the Stage Door after a performance, all people would ask about was ‘Star Wars,'” — Michael Pennington

Page Six

• “He has written ten books, directed in the UK, US, Romania and Japan, and is an Honorary Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.” — Royal Shakespeare Company Records

Michael Pennington, Star Wars actor, dies at 82

• “An old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear.” — Miriam Margolyes

The Sun - US

Pennington’s death removes a bridge between cinema and theatre. His Moff Jerjerrod remains a favorite, while his Shakespearean work and directing continue to shape theatre. Tributes describe him as a “Shakespeare actor” and a “legend” on stage and screen.

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