Alfie Curtis, Star Wars: A New Hope actor, dies aged 87

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Alfie Curtis played Dr Evazan in 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Character threatened Luke Skywalker at Mos Eisley Cantina in the original film
He was also known for roles in 1980 film The Elephant Man and TV series Cribba
Mark Hamill tweeted a tribute to the actor today, calling him 'a real gentleman'

By Mark Duell for MailOnline

Published: 09:39 EST, 27 December 2017 | Updated: 11:40 EST, 27 December 2017

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Alfie Curtis, who played Dr Evazan in Star Wars: A New Hope, has died aged 87

Alfie Curtis, who played Dr Evazan in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope , has died aged 87.

The London-born actor played a threatening drunk man in the famous bar scene during the original 1977 movie.

He threatened Luke Skywalker at Mos Eisley Cantina in the film, telling him: 'I have the death sentence on 12 systems.'

Despite appearing on screen for mere seconds, Curtis's quote become immortalised in Star Wars folklore.

Outside of the film, the actor was known for his roles in 1980 film The Elephant Man and the Eighties TV series Cribb.

He also appeared in TV shows including Bowler in 1973, Grange Hill in 1980 and QED in 1982 - with his most recent credit being in Lost Empires in 1986.

Mark Hamill, who has played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films, tweeted a tribute to the actor this morning.

Alfie Curtis (left), who played Dr Evazan (right) in Star Wars: A New Hope, has died aged 87

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the films, tweeted a tribute to the actor today

Hamill, 66, said: 'Alfie Curtis made the Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina scene - one of the most memorable I've ever been a part of - even more memorable.

'As horrific as he was on-camera, off-camera he was funny, kind and a real gentleman. Thanks Alf - you'll be missed.'

As horrific as he was on-camera, off-camera he was funny, kind and a real gentleman

Actor Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films

Curtis, who was born in Stepney Green in July 1930, had lived in a semi-detached house in the Essex town of Billericay for at least the last 14 years.

Twitter user Richard Daley claimed to have been a neighbour of Curtis.

He tweeted Hamill on December 15 to say: 'Sorry to say that Alfie Curtis who worked with you on Episode IV of Star Wars passed away last week. He often spoke well of you.

'I have been neighbours with him for ten years and often listened to the stories. He was happy to see you in the recent film.'

Curtis's death was announced on the Comic Book Star Wars website last night, but the cause has not yet been revealed.

The news was revealed exactly one year after Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, died aged 60 after suffering a heart attack on a flight.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi was released in Britain on December 15.