{"id":47701,"date":"2024-03-13T14:23:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T13:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2008584"},"modified":"2024-03-13T15:40:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T14:40:26","slug":"michael-culver-star-wars-screen-and-stage-star-dies-aged-85","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/michael-culver-star-wars-screen-and-stage-star-dies-aged-85\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Culver \u2013 Star Wars, screen and stage star \u2013 dies, aged 85"},"content":{"rendered":"

Culver was best known for playing Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back. <\/p>

By James Hibbs\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 13 March 2024 at 13:23 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Michael Culver, the actor best known for playing Captain Lorth Needa in Star Wars film The Empire Strikes Back, has died at the age of 85.<\/p>\n

As well as his role in the sci-fi, Culver appeared in a number of other major series and films, including Bond movies From Russia with Love and Thunderball (both roles were uncredited), The Return of Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Wallander and New Tricks.<\/p>\n

His agents confirmed his death in a statement, saying: \u201cWe are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver.<\/p>\n

\u201cA career spanning over 50 years with notable roles in Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Secret Army and of course one of the most memorable death scenes in the Star Wars franchise. Michael largely gave up acting in the early 2000s to concentrate his efforts into his political activism.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been an honor 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. Michael died on Tuesday 27th February at the age of 85. We miss him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Michael\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Michael Culver as Major Erwin Brandt in Secret Army in 1977.<\/span><\/figcaption> Don Smith\/Radio Times\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Culver was born in London in 1938, the son of an actor, Roland, and a casting director, Daphne. Throughout his life he was married twice \u2013 first, to Lucinda Curtis between 1962 and 1986, and later to Amanda Ward.<\/p>\n

Over the years he appeared in many theatre shows alongside his TV and film work, while he later became more involved in activism, including supporting anti-war protester Brian Haw, who camped out in Parliament Square for 10 years protesting Britain\u2019s role in the Iraq War.<\/p>\n

In 2023, Culver worked with Mark Rylance to have a statue of Haw, which was designed by Ward, to be put in place outside London\u2019s Imperial War Museum.<\/p>\n

Fans have been posting their condolences and their memories of Culver on X, which was recently re-branded from Twitter.<\/p>\n

Devastated. RIP Michael Culver. Unforgettable talent. Just a few of my favourite performances. pic.twitter.com\/cDVBWkTwpZ<\/a><\/p>\u2014 TessdW (@AmethystTess) March 13, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>