James Bond and Star Wars actor Michael Culver dies at 85 as tributes pour in
Michael Culver played Captain Lorth Needa
Star Wars/YouTube
James Bond and Star Wars legend Michael Culver has died at the age of 85.
Culver starred in The Empire Strikes Back, playing Captain Lorth Needa in the 1980 movie.
According to Sky News, Culver's agency announced on Wednesday that he died at his home on February 27.
The actor's agent, Thomas Bowington, told the company: "The part in Star Wars was one of the smallest parts he ever played and became one of the biggest in his life."
He continued: "He belonged to the backbone of the nation, he wasn't a star like a Michael Caine, but everything he did was always never less than excellent.
"He always delivered. He was one of those classic English character actors who could play anything.”
Michael Culver was in a memorable Star Wars scene
Star Wars/YouTube
Culver also played characters in two popular James Bond films, including Thunderball and From Russia With Love.
He’s also starred in ITV’s Sherlock Holmes.
It’s been reported Alliance Agents stated: "It's been an honour to have represented Michael for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe.
"A real highlight was taking Michael to Celebration in Chicago in 2019. He was lost for words when he saw his queue line with nearly 200 people waiting to see him.
"We worked with Michael just three weeks ago at his last home signing with our friends at Elite Signatures. We miss him."
Taking to social media, fans were quick to express their sadness at the news. One wrote: “RIP Michael Culver, the suave but deadly Edward Symmington.”
“RIP Michael Culver. Sad news. Memorable in such roles as Brandt in 'Secret Army' and my personal favourite as Dr Thomas Underhill in BBC1s 1990 adaption of 'The Green Man' by Kingsley Amis,” another penned.
A third added: “RIP Michael Culver (Capt. Needa in Empire Strikes Back). Only met him the once, but he was a lovely chap.”
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Michael Culver starred in Stars Wars as well as James Bond
Star Wars/YouTube
Another simply shared: “RIP MICHAEL CULVER.”
A fifth shared: “RIP Michael Culver. Such a brilliant performance alongside Clifford Rose in Secret Army.”
“RIP the late great Michael Culver. Secret Army’s Erwin Brandt,” someone else recalled.
Fan account The Star Wars Underworld shared a snap of the actor and wrote: "Culver was best know to #StarWars fans for portraying Captain Lorth Needa in #TheEmpireStrikesBack. He also had a variety of roles across many stage, screen and radio productions. Our hearts go out to his friends & family."