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| Jack Purvis | |
| Gender: | Male |
| Medium(s): | Film |
| Roles: | Actor |
| Born: | 1937 |
| Birthplace: | London, England |
| Died: | November, 1997 |
| Deathplace: | Bushey, Hertfordshire, England |
| Notable works: | Star Wars |
| 1st Sci-Fi: | Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) |
Jack Purvis was a British film actor born in London, England in 1937. His first work in movies was playing the Chief Jawa in the 1977 sci-fi smash hit Star Wars. Purvis returned to the franchise in 1980 for Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, this time taking on another bit role, the Chief Ugnaught of Cloud City. In 1983, Purvis appeared in the next sequel, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi where he played the role of Teebo - an Ewok warrior.
Between Episodes V and VI of Star Wars, Jack Purvis played the role of the dwarf, Wally, in the Terry Gilliam sci-fi comedy Time Bandits, which was released on November 6th, 1981.
In 1984, Jack Purvis played a rig operator in the TV series The Invisible Man, though it is unclear which episode he performed in.
The following year, Jack appeared in another Terry Gilliam feature, the sci-fi/comedy noir Brazil where he played a character named Doctor Chapman.
Jack Purvis passed away in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England in November, 1997 at the age of 59.
Body of work[]
Film[]
| Film | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope | 1977 | Chief Jawa |
| Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | Chief Ugnaught |
| Time Bandits | 1981 | Wally |
| Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi | 1983 | Teebo |
| Brazil | 1985 | Doctor Chapman |
Television[]
| Series | Episode | Role |
|---|---|---|
| The Invisible Man | Unknown | Rig operator |
Notes & Trivia[]
- Jack Purvis was 4'1" tall.
- He was close friends with actor Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars trilogy. The two worked together in clubs and theaters prior to their work together on Star Wars.
- In the Star Wars Expanded Universe, the characters of the Chief Jawa and the Chief Ugnaught were given the names Datcha and Ugloste (respectively).
- Jack's daughter, Katie Purvis also played an Ewok in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. She also appeared with her father in the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth.