Word has spread quickly through the fan community that Richard LeParmentier, who played Admiral Conan Motti in Episode IV, has died.
Those who can’t quite place who Admiral Motti is will know him as the first guy Vader force chokes in A New Hope. He often told the story that his ability to make his neck do strange things was what garnered him that awesome moment that probably freaked out every little kid just that much more about Darth Vader.
Admiral Motti was made even more famous when George Lucas jokingly gave him the first name of Conan while on the Conan O’Brien Show.
He could be found at many different conventions, regaling everyone with stories of his time in show business. He loved Star Wars fandom and getting to interact with them.
Jaders Bryan Young and Janine Spendlove knew him well and have written a lovely tribute to him.
I met him a couple of times over the years and celebrations- he was always funny and always great to the fans.
For such a technically small part, there is no one I know who doesn’t remember the force choke or his backtalking to Vader about the force. You don’t see Tarkin telling Vader off that directly.
It was his sneer that I loved about Motti. He was scum and didn’t care who Vader one, as long as he survived. :)
I got to hang out with Richard and his son when he visited my local comic store. He was just a hoot and really nice to everyone; even after spending the entire day with us!
I worked with him at Comic-Con last year!!! This is very saddening news. He was a great man.
So sorry to hear this. He was always terrific to fans. I was hoping he would be making a return trip to Michigan – asked him to on FB. 67 is way too young to leave us. :(