LONDON — A “Star Wars” actor and well-known dialect coach has become the latest celebrity to die from coronavirus.
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According to The Associated Press, 76-year-old Andrew Jack, who had roles in “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi,” “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” died Tuesday at a Surrey, England, hospital.
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Jack also was a voice and dialect coach for several “Star Wars” films, Marvel movies and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, among others, Deadline reported. Actors Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. were among his clients, according to the AP.
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Jack’s wife, fellow dialect coach Gabrielle Rogers, tweeted that her husband was diagnosed with COVID-19 two days before his death.
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“He was in no pain, and he slipped away peacefully knowing that his family were all ‘with’ him,” wrote Rogers, who recently flew to Australia and has been quarantined.
We lost a man today. Andrew Jack was diagnosed with Coronavirus 2 days ago. He was in no pain, and he slipped away peacefully knowing that his family were all 'with' him.
— Gabrielle Rogers (@GabrielleRoger1) March 31, 2020
Take care out there, lovers x@RealHughJackman @chrishemsworth @RobertDowneyJr pic.twitter.com/fm5LevA8n2
Jack’s agent, Jill McCullough, also released a statement about his death, saying he “lived on one of the oldest working houseboats on the Thames” and “was fiercely independent but madly in love with his wife,” according to the AP.
Several celebrities, including “Lord of the Rings” stars Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, took to Twitter to pay tribute to Jack, calling him “brilliant” and “kind.”
See some of the tweets below:
So heartbreaking to learn that Andrew Jack has passed away. He, along with Roisin Carty, lead all of us through the many accents of Middle-Earth. He was a kind and lovely human being. My love to his family and friends.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 1, 2020
Andrew Jack made a mean curry
— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) March 31, 2020
Andrew Jack was powerful & gentle in equal measure
Andrew Jack was funny
Andrew Jack was brilliant
Andrew Jack loved a unique theory of gravity, that we are all being pushed down, instead of pulled down
We loved Andrew Jackhttps://t.co/PNxMop2udN
I had a good day today. Then I heard Andrew Jack had been killed by the C.Virus. He was a joy to be with on the new trilogy. As dialect coach, he helped the cast get it right through his talent and humour. As an actor, his distinguished features made him stand out in any scene. pic.twitter.com/p4HFsFknfl
— Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) March 31, 2020
Devastated to hear of the passing of the wonderful, talented, beloved gentleman #AndrewJack. He is one of the kindest people I’ve ever worked with. Please stay safe. Please stay home!!! #RIPAndrewJack pic.twitter.com/VqmmGkxaOF
— GreG GrunberG (@greggrunberg) March 31, 2020
https://t.co/L0L2xuJuZK pic.twitter.com/Cjy9qRWnj1
— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) March 31, 2020
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