Jeremy Bulloch

Jeremy Andrew Bulloch (16 February 1945 – 17 December 2020) was an English actor. In a career that spanned six decades, he gained recognition for originating the physical portrayal of Boba Fett in the Star Wars franchise, appearing as the character in the films The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Bulloch returned to the franchise for a cameo as Captain Colton in 2005's Revenge of the Sith.

Early life

Bulloch was born in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, to Aziz "Diana" (née Meade) and McGregor Bulloch, an aeronautical engineer. He was the middle of three siblings, with three older half-brothers from his mother's earlier marriage.<ref name=Guardian_obit /> He attended St Leonard's School, Blandford Forum, Dorset, and Dorset House, Littlehampton, West Sussex, before training at the Corona Academy theatre school, London.<ref name=Guardian_obit /><ref>McFarlane, 2005, p. 99</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From the age of five, he enjoyed acting and singing after a school show. He began acting at the age of ten and "appeared in [several] Disney films, British sitcoms and plays".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Career

Early work

At the age of twelve,<ref name=Guardian_obit /> Bulloch's first professional appearance was in a breakfast cereal commercial. After several uncredited screen appearances, Bulloch's first regular role was in the 1960 TV series Counter-Attack! and (the same year) The Chequered Flag. He went on to have a recurring role in Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School (1961) and a regular role in The Newcomers (1965–1967).<ref name=Guardian_obit /><ref name=Lomond /> At the age of seventeen, he portrayed Hamlet on stage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1962, he appeared with Cliff Richard in the musical film Summer Holiday.<ref name=Guardian_obit /> He had a part in The Devil's Agent,<ref name=":1" /> which also starred Christopher Lee who later portrayed Count Dooku in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. He also appeared in two Doctor Who stories, The Space Museum (1965) and The Time Warrior (1973).<ref name=Lomond>Template:Cite web</ref> Coincidentally, David Prowse and John Hollis, who both would later appear alongside Bulloch in The Empire Strikes Back, also appeared in a Jon Pertwee-era Doctor Who serial.<ref>Template:Cite web; Template:Cite web</ref> In 1973, he appeared in the Malcolm McDowell comedy/musical O Lucky Man!. From 1979 to 1981, he was a regular in the ITV sitcom Agony, in which he played Rob Illingworth,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> one half of a gay couple.<ref name=Guardian_obit /> His later television roles included a recurring role as Edward of Wickham in Robin of Sherwood (1984–86).<ref name=Guardian_obit /> He also had minor roles in three James Bond films, twice playing Smithers, an assistant to Q.<ref name=Guardian_obit /><ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Star Wars

1980-1983: Original trilogy

Template:See also In a career spanning over half a century, Bulloch is best known for his role in Boba Fett's costume in the Star Wars films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, despite the character's "minimal screen time."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Toby Hadoke writes that "his precise body language and smouldering presence were ... integral to the character's appeal."<ref name=Guardian_obit /> The voice was provided by Jason Wingreen originally and in the updated versions by Temuera Morrison, to strengthen the connection with the Prequel Trilogy.Template:Efn Bulloch's half-brother, Robert Watts, who was working as an associate producer for Empire, was tasked with finding someone who "would fit in the costume of Boba Fett."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> So Watts called Bulloch (who at the time was working on Agony) and encouraged him<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> to see Tiny Nicholls, the wardrobe supervisor and Bulloch had a costume fitting as Boba Fett, which "took 20 minutes to put on."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Additionally, he played a minor role as an Imperial officer (later identified as Lieutenant Sheckil),Template:Sfn who grabs Leia when she warns Luke Skywalker of Vader's trap in The Empire Strikes Back. Bulloch was initially to do the scene as Fett when he fires at Skywalker on Cloud City, but with no one available to play the part, Bulloch went to the wardrobe and got changed into the "Imperial Officer's outfit".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> This was his only non-masked appearance in the original Star Wars films. John Morton, who portrayed the rebel pilot Dak Ralter (during the Battle of Hoth), covered Bulloch as a body double for Fett when the character confronts Vader in the Bespin hallway during Han Solo's torture.<ref>Windham, Star Wars Year by Year, p. 87</ref>

Bulloch returned as Boba Fett for the fan film mockumentary: Return of the Ewok chasing Wicket on the Death Star. He filmed his scenes for Jedi for four weeks. Bulloch was unaware of Fett's apparent demise prior to filming and was disappointed, since he would have liked to do more with his character. Bulloch said that portraying Fett was the most uncomfortable role he played and that putting on the jetpack "was very heavy."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fett's death in Return of the Jedi would later be retconned in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, in which Bulloch had no involvement.Template:Efn

While portraying Fett, Bulloch drew some inspiration from Clint Eastwood's the Man with No Name.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both Fett and Eastwood's character in A Fistful of Dollars wear similar capes, cradle their gun, ready to shoot and move in slow motion.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

2004-2015: Another Star Wars film and further involvement

In 2004, Bulloch published a limited edition memoir, Flying Solo,<ref name=Guardian_obit /> which is a humorous account of his personal and professional life, interspersed with tales from the convention circuit.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 2005, for the first time in 22 years, he once again made an appearance in a Star Wars film, Revenge of the Sith. This time he portrayed Captain Jeremoch (a portmanteau of Bulloch's name) Colton piloting Kenobi, Bail Organa and Yoda to Coruscant in an Alderaan Cruiser (later identified as the Sundered Heart and similar to the first vessel to appear in Star Wars).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Afterwards, Bulloch played a small cameo role in Star Wars fan films Order of the Sith: Vengeance and its sequel Downfall – Order of the Sith, alongside David Prowse and Michael Sheard. These fan films were made in England in support of Save the Children.

In an interview in 2013, he expressed an interest in being involved in a future Star Wars film in some way, saying, "The lovely thing is ... if I'm wearing a helmet, no one knows how old I am." He subsequently denied involvement in future projects.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although Boba Fett did not appear in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Bulloch hinted that a film focusing on the origins of Boba Fett would be made.<ref>Template:Cite web; Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Efn The Book of Boba Fett, a Disney+ television series taking place after the events of Return of the Jedi, premiered in 2021.

He was featured in the 2015 documentary Elstree 1976; a behind-the-scenes film, which focuses on the lives of some actors and extras who appeared in the Star Wars original trilogy.<ref name=Guardian_obit /> The documentary had a premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.<ref>Template:Cite news; Template:Cite web</ref>

He was also featured in the 2021 Disney+ documentary special, Under The Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett which celebrates the origins and legacy of the character.

Other work

In 2004, Bulloch had a cameo in Mark Hamill's Comic Book: The Movie which also featured some Star Wars alumni such as David Prowse and Peter Mayhew. In 2005, he played the role of "Chairman Skellon" in a stage production of The Trial of Davros.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2006, Bulloch provided the voice of Sir Logan the Prowler in the Night Traveler multimedia adventure series produced by Lunar Moth Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite web; Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2008, Richard LeParmentier, known for his portrayal of Admiral Motti in Star Wars, worked on Motti Now, a spoof of Apocalypse Now, featuring Bulloch and other Star Wars actors, including Kenneth Colley, Garrick Hagon and Jerome Blake.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Bulloch was married to Maureen Walker; the couple had two sons, Jamie and Robbie and lived in London.<ref name=Guardian_obit /> He had another son, Christian from a previous marriage.<ref name=Guardian_obit /> His half-brother was Robert Watts, who was a producer<ref name=Guardian_obit /> on The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and the Indiana Jones films. Watts also had a cameo as Lieutenant Watts in Return of the Jedi.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Robbie portrayed Matthew of Wickham in four episodes of Robin of Sherwood.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The character is the son of Edward of Wickham portrayed by Bulloch. Another son is the translator Jamie Bulloch.<ref name=Guardian_obit /> His sister Sally Bulloch was a child actress before becoming an executive manager of the Athenaeum Hotel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He once considered being a sportsman but ultimately chose to go into acting. Long before portraying Fett, Bulloch trained with David Prowse at his gym in South London.<ref name="Teleg Obit" /> In his spare time, he enjoyed playing cricket and travelling.<ref name="Teleg Obit" /> Bulloch said that he had been a fan of Star Trek ever since the original series.<ref>Forbeck, Star Wars vs Star Trek, p. 9</ref>

Following the release of the Star Wars Special Edition trilogy, prequel trilogy and new films, Bulloch was frequently invited to science fiction conventions throughout the world,<ref name=Guardian_obit /><ref name="site" /> He attended London Film and Comic Con<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and several conventions as part of Star Wars Celebration.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Bulloch was inducted as an honorary member of the 501st Legion costuming organisation in May 2002.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later, in November 2009, he actually joined the 501st as a costume-wearing member making appearances with the group as Boba Fett (The Real Fett) BH 5211.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ukg">Template:Cite web</ref> Beginning in 2000, he was a frequent guest at the Star Wars Weekends (held annually at Disney's Hollywood Studios).<ref>Windham, Star Wars Year by Year, p.215; Template:Cite web; Template:Cite web</ref> In August 2018, Bulloch announced his retirement from attending conventions.<ref name=Guardian_obit /><ref name="site">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, Maureen was inducted as a Friend of the 501st Legion.<ref name="ukg" />

Death

Bulloch died of complications from Parkinson's disease (which he had lived with for several years) at St. George's Hospital in Tooting, London, on 17 December 2020, at the age of 75.<ref name=":0"/> Maureen survived him with their two sons, Christian from his previous marriage to Sandra Ford and ten grandchildren.<ref name=Guardian_obit />

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Tooltip
1958	A Night to Remember	Boy jumping into water	Uncredited	<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>
1959	Carry On Teacher	Schoolboy	Uncredited	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	The Cat Gang	Bill		<ref name="RottenTomatoes">Template:Cite web</ref>
1960	A French Mistress	Baines		<ref name=":1" />
	Caught in the Net	Bob Ketley		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
1961	Spare the Rod	Angell		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
1962	The Devil's Agent	Johnny Droste		<ref name=":1" />
	Play It Cool	Joey		<ref name=":1" />
1963	Summer Holiday	Edwin		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
1965	The Dawn Killer	Colin Hawkes		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
1966	The Idol	Lewis		<ref name=":1" />
1969	Las Leandras	Robert Wilson		<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1970	Hoffman	Tom Mitchell		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
	The Virgin and the Gypsy	Leo		<ref name=":1" />
1971	Mary, Queen of Scots	Andrew		<ref name=":1" />
1973	O Lucky Man!	Young Man		<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref>
1974	Can You Keep It Up for a Week?	Gil		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
	Only a Scream Away	Tom Manners		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
1976	Escape from the Dark	Ginger		<ref name=":1" />
1977	The Spy Who Loved Me	HMS Ranger Crewman		<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	The Littlest Horse Thieves	Ginger		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
	Night Ferry	Policeman (PC Martin)		<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1978	King Richard the Second	Henry Percy		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
1980	The Empire Strikes Back	Boba Fett / Sheckil	Voiced by Jason Wingreen	<ref name="apobit">Template:Cite web</ref>
1981	For Your Eyes Only	Smithers	Uncredited	<ref name=":1" />
1982	Return of the Ewok	Boba Fett	Video short	<ref name=":1" />
	The World Cup: A Captain's Tale	Ben Tillet Whittingham		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
1983	Octopussy	Smithers		<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Return of the Jedi	Boba Fett	Voiced by Jason Wingreen	<ref name=apobit/>
1993	Swing Kids	Small club owner		<ref name=":1" />
1996	Giving Tongue	Auctioneer		<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
	Princess in Love			<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
2003	Advanced Warriors	Max	Interactive movie	<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
2004	Comic Book: The Movie	Jeremy Bulloch	Video	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2004	Number One Longing, Number Two Regret	Fett
2005	Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith	Captain Colton	Cameo	<ref name=":3" />
2006	Order of the Sith: Downfall	Commander Marucs	Short	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Night Traveler	Sir Logan the Prowler	Voice	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2009	Turpin	Sir Guy	Short	<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
2015	Elstree 1976	Himself	Documentary	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Tooltip
1960	Counter-Attack!	Terry Benson	7 episodes	<ref name=":1" />
	The Chequered Flag	Mike Brown	6 episodes	<ref name=":1" />
1961	The Arthur Askey Show	Unknown	Episode: Pilbeam the Journalist
	Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School	Bob Cherry	9 episodes, recurring role	<ref name="Vulture obit">Template:Cite web</ref>
1965	Doctor Who: The Space Museum	Tor	3 episodes	<ref name=":2" />
1965–1968	The Newcomers	Phillip Cooper	46 episodes	<ref name=":1" />
1972	Crown Court	Dr Warner	3 episodes	<ref name="WaPp Obit">Template:Cite news</ref>
	Pathfinders	Ronnie Thompson	2 episodes	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1973	Doctor Who: The Time Warrior	Hal	4 episodes	<ref name=":1" />
1974	Man About the House	Derek Sutton	1 episode: S3 E7 "Three of a Kind"	<ref name=Guardian_obit />
1978	The Professionals	Denver	1 episode; S1 E6 Where the Jungle Ends	<ref name="Teleg Obit" />
	George and Mildred	Bill Allbright	1 episode	<ref name="TVG">Template:Cite web</ref>
1979–1981	Agony	Rob Illingworth	18 episodes	<ref name="Variety obit" />
1981	Only When I Laugh	Gary	1 episode; S3 E1 A Day in the Life Of
1983–1985	Robin of Sherwood	Edward of Wickham	8 episodes	<ref name="Variety obit">Template:Cite web</ref>
1985	Chocky's Children	Landis	3 episodes	<ref name=":1" />
1985	Jenny's War	Schroeder	TV movie	<ref name=":1" />
1987	Boon	Inspector Gower	Episode; Fiddler Under the Roof	<ref name="PCR obit" />
1989	After Henry	George	Episode; Memory Games	<ref name=":1" />
1989–1993	Casualty	Rodney Mulligan / Peter Cunningham	2 episodes	<ref name="Teleg Obit">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
1992–1996	The Bill	Dr Webster / Commander Bill Huxley	3 episodes	<ref name="PCR obit">Template:Cite web</ref>
1994	Faith	David Reckitt	TV mini-series, 4 episodes	<ref name=":1" />
1995	Dangerfield	Superintendent Jacklin	Episode: Death in Custody
1999	Aristocrats	Older George Napier	TV mini-series, 2 episodes	<ref name=":1" />
2002	Spooks	Roger Welks	Also known as MI-5, Series 1, Episode 3	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2006–2008	Doctors	Julian Marker / Victor Hendon	2 episodes	<ref name=Guardian_obit>Template:Cite news</ref>
2008	Bonekickers	Masked man	Episode: Follow the Gleam	<ref name="TVG" />
2009	Law & Order: UK	Dickie	Episode: Honour Bound	<ref name=Guardian_obit />
	Starhyke	Doctor Yul Striker	6 episodes	<ref name="RottenTomatoes" />
2012	Russell Howard's Good News	Himself	1 Episode – Mystery Guest Segment
2021	Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett	Himself / Boba Fett	Disney Plus retrospective documentary

References

Footnotes Template:Notelist

Citations Template:Reflist

Bibliography

• McFarlane, Brian. (2005). The Encyclopaedia of British Film. Methuen. 2nd edition
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Windham, Ryder and Wallace, Daniel. (2011). Star Wars Year by Year Chronicle. Darling Kindersley

External links

• Template:Official website
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• Jeremy Bulloch BFI