He was eighty-five years old. He starred in one of the “most memorable” scenes in STAR WARS as an actor.

Michael Culver, who portrayed Captain Lorth Needa in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back, passed away Thursday, according to his representatives, following a protracted illness.

In one of the film’s most well-known sequences, Darth Vader uses telekinetic strangling to kill Culver as retaliation for the Millennium Falcon escaping from him.

We are very sad to confirm the death of our friend and client Michael Culver,” said a statement released by his representatives today.

Throughout his more than half-century career, he played iconic roles in films such as Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Secret Army, and, of course, one of the most well-known death sequences in Star Wars.

Early in the new millennium, Michael largely gave from acting to concentrate on his political efforts.

“It has been an honor to represent Michael for ten years and accompany him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe.”

Michael officially passed away today. He was eighty-five years old. Our hearts ached for him.

Prior to his rise to fame from Star Wars, Culver portrayed Major McBryde in A Passage to India and Ernest Clifford in Breakaway.

He was also in Sherlock Homes, Secret Army, and Armchair Thriller.