Michael Pennington, ‘Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi’ Actor, Dies At 82

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentMichael Pennington, ‘Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi’ Actor, Dies At 82ByTim Lammers,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment.Follow AuthorMay 10, 2026, 02:55pm EDTMay 10, 2026, 02:58pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Actor Michael Pennington performs in Moises Kaufman's play Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde at the Gielgud Theatre. (Photo by robbie jack/Corbis via Getty Images)Corbis via Getty ImagesMichael Pennington, a screen and stage actor whose roles included Death Star Commander Moff Jerjerrod in Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, has died.Pennington died Sunday, according to The Telegraph in the U.K. He was 82.Born Michael Vivian Fyfe Pennington on June 7, 1943, in Cambridge, England, Pennington’s screen career kicked off in 1965 in a supporting role in the BBC Miniseries The War of the Roses. In Return of the Jedi, Pennington’s Moff Jerjerrod is confronted by Darth Vader (David Prowse/voice of James Earl Jones) over lagging construction of Death Star II.The actor, who was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Comany, compiled more than 70 screen roles during his career. In addition to Return of the Jedi, he starred opposite Meryl Streep, who won her third Oscar playing U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 biopic The Iron Lady. This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for updates.MORE FOR YOUEditorial StandardsReprints & PermissionsLOADING VIDEO PLAYER...FORBES’ FEATURED Video