Veteran actor Michael Pennington, best known for his role in Star Wars, has died at the age of 82. No cause of death has been confirmed. Born in Cambridge in 1943, Pennington trained at Cambridge University and the National Youth Theatre before embarking on a career that would see him perform Shakespeare across the world and earn acclaim as both an actor and writer.

He co-founded the English Shakespeare Company in 1986 alongside director Michael Bogdanov, serving as joint artistic director. Pennington became known to global audiences in 1983 when he appeared in George Lucas’s Return of the Jedi as Moff Jerjerrod. Addressing his long-standing connection to the franchise, Pennington said: "Let’s not make too much of it, but I’ve done 20 years of plays since, and people still write for autographs, saying, ‘If you ever do any more acting, please let us know.’"

He also appeared as Laertes in Hamlet (1969) and starred opposite Meryl Streep in 2011's The Iron Lady.

Pennington made a number of appearances in TV series across his career, including The Bill, The Tudors and Father Brown. He also wrote nearly a dozen books focused on the craft of acting.

In his later years, Pennington had been living at Denville Hall, a care home for retired actors, his agent Lesley Duff confirmed. He married actress Katharine Barker in 1964 and they welcomed a son named Mark, before divorcing in 1967.

Tributes have since poured in from across the entertainment world for the actor, who enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than five decades.

His friend and fellow actress Miriam Margolyes penned: "Michael Pennington has died. An old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear. I am sad beyond measure. Bless your dear memory. Old chum."

Responding to a comment underneath her post on Instagram, the Harry Potter actress confirmed Pennington passed away recently at Denville Hall.

Also paying tribute, one fan wrote: "Sad day for the Star Wars community as a whole. Jerjerrod is my favorite Imperial in all of Star Wars and he will continue to be. Michael Pennington also has an impressive theater career outside of Star Wars that should not be overlooked, too."

Another posted: "Renowned actor and English Shakespeare Company co-founder Michael Pennington has died at 82. From the RSC to "Return of the Jedi," his impact on the craft was immeasurable. A true titan of the stage and screen."

A third added: "Sad news for both theatre and sci-fi fans. Michael Pennington brought gravitas to every role he played, including Moff Jerjerrod in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. His work on stage and screen left a lasting mark. Rest in peace."