I've heard a rumor that he passed away, but I can't find any confirmation of this. If this is in fact true, he will be missed...

Wikipedia states Hootkins passed away on the 23rd on the current month in Santa Monica.

IMDb hasn't been updated yet.

If true, he would've been 57 years old. Damn.

Sadly, it has now been confirmed. From Naxos Audiobooks:

--

"William Hootkins (5 July 1948- 23 October 2005)

William Hootkins has died after an 11-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He endured the difficult treatment during that period with his customary humour and forbearance. His magnificent voice will remain with us through his numerous recordings, and, in particular, the unabridged Moby-Dick and Hiawatha which he made shortly before falling ill.

Moby-Dick has already received many outstanding reviews and quite rightly so. It shows a great actor at the height of his powers. But what it only infers is that Bill Hootkins was also an exceptional man: intelligent, generous, funny, light-hearted but deeply sensitive. He will be missed by all who knew him."

Dammit.

Such a waste, going before 60...

I'll think I'll watch his scenes in Hardware tonight in honor- this particular role is nothing if not entertaining. May he rest in peace.

Sad, very sad

I was shocked when I read it.

He was a very good actor, with a great voice and cult figure for all of us, I believe, for his roles in Hardware and Dust Devil.

It's even worst if you think about the disease that took him away from his family and public: pancreatic cancer is quick, but very painful.

The fact that he passed through all this with such behaviour just shows what a great man he was.

Nothing more to say: I'll do what I think Glurrk has already done in his honour.


RIP William

A nice little articleon recording Moby Dick, his last work.

Hootkins will also be remembered within the STAR WARS community, as he did the part of one rebel fleet pilot in the original 1977 film. He was a regular guest in various conventions and is said to have been a very kind, sociable person, who always had time for fans.

A portrait from a Star Wars convention.

Here's a smaller picture:

Yeah, he was playing Porkins...

"Stay on target!" - is this the correct line?

hehehe ... yes, it is. Kind of funny ... for years, that was running humor between an old friend of mine and myself; this guy ...

the scene in Star Wars, where the various X-Wing pilots are flying down that channel on the Death Star ...

with our man, shaking around in his seat, jiggling like jello, "Stay on Target..."

cut to Luke --

cut back, with raised inflection -- "..Stay on Target... !.. "

...{boom!}

Hehehehe ... I just came across this, and have to share ... here in the U.S. we've got Valentine's Day coming up on the 14th ... and, "The Something Awful photoshopping army has spent the day posting an awesome and hilarious collection of Star Wars themed Valentines. Link"



Needless to say, I came across the one above that someone had done of Red Six .... ... there are some other choice ones in there, too ... the Endor one? [groan]

Thanks, Phoebus!

(I've know a bunch of Star Wars fans who MUST see this!)

And he was also the goverment guy in raiders of the lost ark (one of two guys who turn up at Indy's university).