‘Star Wars’ Actor Mark Dodson Passes Away At 64

Mark Dodson, who voiced the character Salacious B. Crumb in the Star Wars franchise as well as a number of other critters and gremlins over the years, has died at 64.

The actor died of a heart attack in Evansville, Indiana where he was attending Horror Con, according to TMZ. Dodson leaves behind a legacy of voice acting that spanned cult classics like the “Gremlins” horror-comedy movies, “Day of the Dead,” and countless others in the horror genre.

A representative for Dodson said he lent “his unique voice and sound to each character and script he touched.”

The actor’s daughter told the outlet that her father had just checked in to his hotel when he suffered a “massive heart attack” while sleeping.

Dodson’s big Hollywood break came while voicing Salacious Crumb in the 1983 hit “Return of the Jedi.” Spotted always at the feet of its master Jabba the Hutt, the Crumb character was elemental in establishing the absurdity of those who surrounded the powerful alien ganger, laughing while Luke Skywalker and Princess Leah were held prisoner in his chambers.

His charm returned to the screen the following year when Dodson was picked up to voice Mogwai, the adorable lead character in the “Gremlins” franchise who is purchased from a mysterious Chinese dealer and sets loose mayhem as his offspring come to fruition and destroy a small town on Christmas Eve.

Voice actor Mark Dodson has died aged 64. His daughter Ciara has confirmed that, The star, who voiced characters in Star Wars.#MarkDodson #Starwars #news #gremlins #Indiana pic.twitter.com/X7T5v1egFt

— Unwires News | Entertainment | Sports | National | (@UnwiresNews) March 4, 2024

Ciara, Dodson’s daughter, added that her father “never ceased making me proud” and his memory will live on through his grandchildren.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1960, Dodson moved to Los Angeles in 1978 to seek out acting opportunities while supporting himself as a production assistant and carpenter, according to a 2010 interview. He began as a designer for LucasFilm, creating many of the toys and set construction that supported the Star Wars franchise. After his pet raccoon failed to perform for a voice recording, Dodson mimicked the sounds of his animal companion, earning him the opportunity to try out for the lead alien in the Steven Spielberg hit “E.T.”

Asked to sum up his career, Dodson gave all the credit to George Lucas for giving him the role of a lifetime.

“I look back at it as some of the best times of my life, with a lot of affection. It was my start doing voiceovers. I met great people, worked with George Lucas, I ended up being a part of something I think is going to live forever and I’m humbled by it. I can’t believe I’m a part of it. Quite honestly, if it wasn’t for Star Wars, Ben Burtt and George Lucas I’d be another voiceover guy nobody really hears of,” he said.