https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40018422?fbclid=IwAR0lpjcPB3BVykE00_cr95-E9A7kV4N8m3mqNO7rFC2GxuiK-E05ItlKSDY

Sir Roger Moore, James Bond actor, dies aged 89

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Sir Roger Moore has died at the age of 89 following "a short but brave battle with cancer" Actor Sir Roger Moore, best known for playing James Bond, has died aged 89, his family has announced.

 He played the famous spy in seven Bond films including Live and Let Die and A View to a Kill.

 Sir Roger's family confirmed the news on Twitter, saying he had died after "a short but brave battle with cancer".

 The statement, from his children, read: "Thank you Pops for being you, and being so very special to so many people."

 "With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated," they said in a Twitter post.


 The actor took the character of James Bond in a more humorous direction than his predecessor Sean Connery.

 Sir Roger's Bond was calm and suave - a smooth operator who could seemingly get himself out of a tricky situation with ease.

 The veteran star, who died in Switzerland, will have a private funeral in Monaco in accordance with his wishes, his children said.

 "The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone," read the statement from Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian.

 "Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina [Tholstrup, his wife] at this difficult time."

 The statement added: "We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for UNICEF which he considered to be his greatest achievement.

 Along with his famous Bond role, Moore was also known for TV series The Persuaders and The Saint.

 Sir Roger was also well known for his humanitarian work - he was introduced to Unicef by the late Audrey Hepburn and was appointed as a goodwill ambassador in 1991.

 Tributes paidRussell Crowe led the tributes to the actor on Twitter, writing simply: "Roger Moore, loved him."

 Michael Caine said: "I am truly sad and think I will be in tears if I talk about him.

 "Roger was the perfect gentlemen, adored by all his friends."

 Michael Ball said: "My dearest uncle Roger has passed on. What a sad, sad day this is.

 "Loved the bones of him. Generous, funny, beautiful and kind."

 Mia Farrow wrote: "Few are as kind & giving as was Roger Moore. Loving thoughts with his family & friends," while Boy George added: "RIP Sir Roger Moore. He was the king of cool."
 

 Duran Duran, who sang the Bond theme song for A View To A Kill, simply tweeted: RIP Roger.

In a statement, fellow Unicef ambassador and actor Ewan McGregor said: "Thank you, Roger, for having
championed so tirelessly the rights of all children for the last 26 years.

 "You've shown that we all have the power to make a change to the lives of the most vulnerable children."

 Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent, recalled how he and Sir Roger had become good friends in recent years.

 "He even watched me ski past his chalet in Crans-Montana [Switzerland] while sipping a drink on his balcony," he said.

 "He had a wonderful sense of humour and I will miss his jokes by email. We had lunch together only a few months ago and even after all these years he seemed surprised that his career had been as successful as it evidently was. We will miss him."

 Moore's Bond movies

Live and Let Die (1973)

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Moonraker (1979)

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Octopussy (1983)

A View to a Kill (1985) 

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https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48142765

[size=150]Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew dies aged 74[/size]

 

Image copyright Lucas  film Image caption Peter Mayhew plays Chewbacca (L) alongside Harrison Ford in Star Wars Episode IV


Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars films, has died aged 74, his family says.

 He passed away at his home in Texas on 30 April with his family by his side, a statement said.

 The British-American actor played giant Wookiee warrior Chewbacca in the original trilogy beginning in 1977 as well as later films until 2015.

 "He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame," his family said.

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London-born Mayhew played Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, episode three of the prequels and the New Trilogy.

  Star Wars creator George Lucas had wanted a tall actor to play Chewbacca - but initially considered 6ft 6in (1.98m) tall David Prowse for the role.

 However Prowse instead wanted to play Darth Vader so Lucas then turned to Mayhew, who at 7ft 2in (2.18m) was chosen purely for his height. His face was never seen in the all the Star Wars films he played in.

 "He fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand tall and portray Chewbacca once more in Star Wars: The Force Awakens," his family said.

 Mayhew also consulted on The Last Jedi, released in 2017, in an attempt to pass on the secrets of the role to his successor Finland's Joonas Suotamo.

  Mayhew's family said "the Star Wars family meant so much more to him than a role in a film".

 "The relationships that began then grew into the friends and family that he would love for decades to come."



 

Peter Mayhew last played Chewbacca in The Force Awakens in 2015


The statement also said the actor had been "heavily involved" with non-profit organisations, and had launched his own foundation, which they said supported "everything from individuals and families in crisis situations to food and supplies for children of Venezuela".

 Mayhew's family did not say what the cause of his death was.

 A memorial service for friends and family would be held on 29 June, and a separate memorial for fans would take place in December, the statement said.

 The London-born actor, who was 7ft 2in (2.18m) tall, is survived by his wife Angie and three children.

 Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars films, described Mayhew as "the gentlest of giants".

 "A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile and a loyal friend who I loved dearly," Hamill tweeted.