Canadian actor Angus MacInnes, who appeared in Star Wars and River City, has died at the age of 77.
He was best known for playing Y-wing fighter gold leader Jon “Dutch” Vander in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, but Scots may recognise him as Sonny Munro in BBC soap River City.
He made Edinburgh his home in the mid-1980s, where he opened a successful pizza restaurant during a hiatus from his acting career.
Other film credits include Star Wars: Rogue One and Hollywood blockbusters Hellboy and Captain Phillips.
In a post to his official Facebook page, his family confirmed the news, writing that he had died “surrounded by friends and family” on December 23. A statement credited him as “a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend”.
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They continued by thanking his fans, writing that they had a “special place in his heart”. They continued: “He loved meeting you at conventions, hearing your stories, and sharing in your passion for the saga.
“He was continually humbled, delighted, and honoured by the admiration and passion of the fans and convention community.”
Angus’ character Dutch died in battle on Darth Vader’s Death Star in the first Star Wars film in 1977, although he returned to the blockbuster series in 2016, appearing in archive footage used in the reboot. He also starred alongside Tom Hanks in 2013’s Captain Phillips, and in the 1995 version of Judge Dredd, starring Sylvester Stallone.
During a hiatus from his acting career, he opened pizza restaurant Mamma’s in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh.
His family added: “Angus was more than an actor—he was a kind, thoughtful, and generous soul who brought warmth and humour into the lives of everyone who knew him.
“He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and fellow actors but also by his fans around the world – his family thank you all.”
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