Trending Now - Michael Pennington, 'return of the Jedi' Actor, Passes Away at 82
WHO:
The Guardian - Pennington was remembered by fellow actor Miriam Margolyes as an “old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear.”
TMZ - Michael Pennington, actor known for his role as Death Star Commander Moff Jerjerrod in "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," has died.
WHAT:
Sportskeeda - Michael Pennington was a co-founder of the English Shakespeare Company.
Forbes - Pennington's screen career began in 1965 with a supporting role in the BBC miniseries "The War of the Roses."
Forbes - Pennington was a longtime member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he joined as a bit player in 1964.
Forbes - Pennington appeared in guest roles in the crime drama "Waking the Dead," which aired on BBC America, and the historical drama "The Tudors," which aired on Showtime.
Forbes - Pennington authored nearly a dozen books, primarily focused on the acting craft.
Forbes - Michael Pennington compiled more than 70 screen roles during his career.
Forbes - Pennington starred opposite Meryl Streep in the 2011 biopic "The Iron Lady," a role that earned Streep her third overall Oscar and second statuette for Best Actress.
Forbes - Pennington authored nearly a dozen books, largely dedicated to the acting craft.
Forbes - Pennington's last credited role was in 2022, voicing The Trust, a sentient quantum computer, in five episodes of Season 2 of the HBO Max sci-fi series "Raised by Wolves."
Variety - Michael Pennington was a celebrated Shakespearean actor known for his role as Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod, an Empire admiral responsible for overseeing the construction of the second Death Star in "Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi."
TMZ - Michael Pennington passed away at the age of 82.
WHERE:
Forbes - Michael Pennington was born in Cambridge, England.
TMZ - Michael Pennington was born in the United Kingdom on June 7, 1943.
WHEN:
Sportskeeda - Michael Pennington passed away on May 10, 2026.
TMZ - Michael Pennington died on a Sunday, as reported by The Telegraph.
WHY:
The Guardian - Pennington described his first encounter with Shakespearean verse, stating, “Shakespearean verse hit me like a hammer when I was 11.”
Forbes - Pennington once remarked about his role in "Return of the Jedi," stating, “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.’”
HOW:
The Guardian - Pennington directed "Twelfth Night" in the UK, Tokyo, and Chicago, and the "Hamlet Project" for the National Theatre Bucharest.
(UPDATED May 11, 2026 17:38 UTC)
Tributes are pouring in for the late actor and director, with fellow performer Miriam Margolyes recalling him as an “old friend, from Cambridge days, a very fine actor, brilliant, wise, clear.” Pennington once shared that his first encounter with Shakespearean verse was so impactful that it “hit me like a hammer when I was 11.” Throughout his career, he directed notable productions like "Twelfth Night" in the UK, Tokyo, and Chicago, as well as the "Hamlet Project" for the National Theatre Bucharest.
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 13:50 UTC)
Michael Pennington, a notable figure in the arts, was a co-founder of the English Shakespeare Company. His contributions to theater have left a lasting impact on the appreciation of Shakespeare's works. Fans of the Bard and the performing arts continue to celebrate his legacy through various productions and adaptations.
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 11:54 UTC)
Michael Pennington has passed away at the age of 66. The news was reported by Sportskeeda at 21:10 UTC. Pennington was known for his significant contributions to the world of sports.
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 10:06 UTC)
Michael Pennington, born in Cambridge, England, began his screen career in 1965 with a supporting role in the BBC miniseries "The War of the Roses." A longtime member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he joined as a bit player in 1964 and later appeared in guest roles on shows like "Waking the Dead" and "The Tudors," while also authoring nearly a dozen books focused on the acting craft. Reflecting on his role in "Return of the Jedi," Pennington once noted, “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.’”
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 04:17 UTC)
Michael Pennington, who had an impressive career with over 70 screen roles, starred alongside Meryl Streep in the 2011 biopic "The Iron Lady," a performance that secured Streep her third Oscar and second for Best Actress. In addition to his acting, Pennington authored nearly a dozen books focused on the craft of acting. His last credited role came in 2022, where he voiced The Trust, a sentient quantum computer, in five episodes of Season 2 of the HBO Max sci-fi series "Raised by Wolves."
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 01:30 UTC)
Michael Pennington, a celebrated Shakespearean actor, has passed away. He was well-known for his role as Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod, the Empire admiral in charge of the second Death Star's construction in "Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi." His contributions to both theater and film have left a lasting impact on audiences around the world.
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(UPDATED May 10, 2026 21:10 UTC)
Michael Pennington, the actor best known for his role as Death Star Commander Moff Jerjerrod in "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," has passed away at the age of 82. His death occurred on a Sunday, as reported by The Telegraph. Pennington was born in the United Kingdom on June 7, 1943.