Star Wars legend Mark Hamill hailed his colleague and actor friend Andrew Jack as a ‘kind gentleman’ in a touching tribute after his death aged 76.
The actor – who played the role of Resistance Major Caluan Ematt in both Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi and Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – passed away on Tuesday 31 March after contracting coronavirus.
Jack, who died in St. Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, was also widely known as a dialect coach.
In a touching tribute to the star on his Twitter page, Mark said he was left ‘saddened’ at the news and sent his condolences to Jack’s family.
Reposting a black-and-white picture of his dear friend, he wrote: ‘I’m so sorry and saddened to hear we have lost Andrew Jack.
‘He was such a kind gentleman who was deeply gifted & beloved by all who knew him. My deepest condolences to his family.’
Another Star Wars actor Joonas Suotamo — who played Chewbacca – also saluted Jack’s legacy with some kind words.
He posted: ‘Today we learned that a member of our Star Wars family, Andrew Jack, passed away due to complications from COVID-19.
‘In addition to playing Major Ematt in The Force Awakens, his work as a dialect coach on TFA, Solo, & other SW films revealed a man who was passionate & caring for both his work and those around him.
‘My thoughts are with his family and friends’.
During his final moments, Andrew was sadly apart from his wife Gabrielle Rogers, as she was in quarantine in Australia.
Andrew – who has worked with the likes of Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr – also leaves behind two children, Rupert Hutchinson and Katherine Morgan.
Jill McCullough, Andrew’s agent said in a statement: ‘Andrew lived on one the oldest working houseboats on the Thames, he was fiercely independent but madly in love with his wife; also a dialect coach; Gabrielle Rogers.
‘Tragically she is stuck in quarantine in Australia having just flown in from New Zealand last week. She was unable to see or talk to him at the end of his life and there is a chance a funeral may not be held.’
She continued to praise her client for his tenacity and fun nature.
She said: ‘Andrew was full of life – he was tall and striking with flowing white hair, you wouldn’t miss him if he walked into a room. He was still working full pelt, currently coaching on the new ‘Batman’
‘He had been a dialect coach for many years and was one of those people who promoted mentoring and supporting younger coaches and he was a pioneer in our industry – in that he demonstrated to producers that we were a necessary department and that the job was important.
‘He loved his work and was funny, charming and a joy to be around. He was a friend first and a client second and I will miss doing silly voices and p***ing around with him on set. Dialect coaching isn’t just about being good at accents – you need to make actors feel safe and confident – and Andrew’s actors adored him.’
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