Michael Pennington, who played antagonist Death Star station commander Moff Jerjerrod in 1983’s “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” has passed away at 82, The Telegraph reported on May 10, 2026.
Along with his memorable “Star Wars” role, Pennington was known for being a celebrated stage actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Telegraph’s report says he once even turned down a film role opposite Meryl Streep to play Hamlet.
Explaining why he turned down a part as the male lead in “The French Lieutenant’s Woman,” Pennington said, “I realized I couldn’t let Hamlet go. It is one of the prizes.”
The Telegraph’s report, which doesn’t mention Pennington’s cause of death, says the Cambridge, England native was appreciated in the theatre world for the “intelligence and flawless diction” of his performance.
“Star Wars” fans heralded his villainous performance after getting word of his death and quoted his memorable line, “We shall double our efforts,” and “The emperor’s coming here?”
One person remembered the character by writing on TMZ’s announcement of the death, “He did his job…The Death Star became operational thanks to the doubled efforts of Commander Moff J. and his staff,” adding a salute emoji.
Pennington described his “first big break” as his 1967 role in the John Mortimer play “The Judge,” which came 3 years after he began his acting journey.
“But it only ran for three months. That’s probably an optimal time if you get noticed, because then you’re free to capitalize on your success. And though I’d been to Stratford before, going back in 1974 to play leading roles was a formative moment,” he said in a 2003 interview with WhatsOnStage.
In the same interview, he listed Oscar winner Judi Dench as one of his favorite co-stars. He acted with the “Shakespeare In Love” star in The Way of the World, The Gift of the Gorgon, and “Filumena.”
Michael Pennington Was Married to British Soap Star Katharine Barker
Pennington leaves behind his ex-wife, actress Katharine Barker, and their son. Barker is best known for starring as original Dolly Skilbeck in the British soap opera “Emmerdale Farm” from 1977 to 1979.
She and Pennington married in 1964, and the marriage was dissolved in 1967. Pennington’s most recently known partner, arts administrator Prue Skene, died in 2025, The Telegraph’s report says.
Michael Pennington Mused on Being Best Known in America for ‘Star Wars’ Despite His Prestigious Theatre Career
Pennington’s admired body of theatre included, among many other projects, a one-man show, Anton Chekhov, which he created himself and toured around the world.
Another of his achievements was being instrumental in forming The English Shakespeare Company, which he co-created with theatre director Michael Bogdanov.
He also had a number of television appearances. Still, Pennington says he received the most mail from Star Wars fans, many of whom asked him to let them know if he ever acted again.
In an interview a decade before his death, Pennington why he stays drawn to Shakespeare after half a century of performing the iconic playwright’s works.
“He has the most amazing ability to make you see things that aren’t there,” reflected Pennington, after praising Shakespeare’s “use of language.”
Pennington also said he admires Shakespeare’s trick of using monosyllables “for an emotional effect.” He explained, “He’s capable of writing hugely complicated language of course,” but said the legend uses simple language and monosyllables “at the peak moments.”
