‘It’s always hard to say goodbye to a member of the Star Wars family’: Luke Skywalker star Mark Hamill pays tribute to Ewok actor Paul Grant as he expresses his ‘heartfelt condolences to loved ones and fans’ after his death aged 56
- Luke Skywalker actor today paid tribute to colleague who died last week at 56
- Actor found collapsed in London on Thursday and pronounced dead on Monday
Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, known for his role as leading character Luke Skywalker, took to Twitter today to pay tribute to co-star Paul Grant, who died on Monday aged 56.
Addressing his 5.2mn followers, he wrote just after 5pm GMT today: ‘My heartfelt condolences to Paul’s loved ones & fans.
‘He had a long & varied career, but it’s always hard to say goodbye to a member of the #StarWars family.
‘He will be deeply missed. #RIP_PaulGrant’
Hamill, 71, worked with Grant on Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983), in which Grant played an Ewok.
The father of three died in hospital last week after he was found collapsed outside King’s Cross station in London.
Actor Mark Hamill, known for his role as Luke Skywalker, is pictured at the premiere of Disney’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” on December 16 2019 in Hollywood, California
Ewok actor Paul Grant of Star Wars died after collapsing near King’s Cross station
Grant was rushed to hospital on Thursday and was declared brain dead on 16 March.
His life support machine was switched off on Sunday and he was pronounced dead on 20 March.
His cause of death has not yet been announced.
Grant had roles in beloved eighties films including Star Wars, Legend and Labyrinth.
More recently he played a goblin in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Weeks before he died, Grant opened up about difficulty managing his alcohol consumption in an interview at King’s Cross station.
‘I’ve been thinking about this, it’s my last day of drinking,’ the Harry Potter actor told the YouTube channel Revelation 22:13. ‘I’ve been drinking too much.’
He admitted he had spent much of the money he had earned working in the film industry.
He said he ‘enjoyed my life’ and joked: ‘You only live once, don’t ya?’
Hi daughter, Sophie Jayne Grant, 28, told The Sun this week: ‘He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone’s face.
‘He would do anything for anyone.’
She spoke of how much he loved his daughters, son and girlfriend Maria Dwyer, 64.
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Image shows an Ewok from the Return of the Jedi, like the one portrayed by Paul Grant
Grant is survived by his girlfriend Maria, his two daughters and one son as well as his stepchildren and grandchildren.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
Those struggling with alcohol addiction can also find support at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk.
Mental health charity Mind lists a number of organisations that offer information, advice and support for people affected by alcohol and drugs.
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