STAR WARS

I’ve had a long and multifaceted career with Lucasfilm and Star Wars, beginning in 1987 when I was hired to operate R2-D2 for a series of Japanese Panasonic commercials featuring George Lucas and the saga’s iconic characters. Soon after, I became Lucasfilm’s second archivist, managing the company’s collection and coordinating live character appearances for nine years. At the same time, I worked as a model maker at Industrial Light & Magic, contributing to films including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Ghostbusters II, Starship Troopers, Galaxy Quest, and the Pirates of the Caribbean series, as well as numerous commercials. Beyond Lucasfilm, I built creatures for The Fly and The Fly II.

For the Star Wars Special Editions, I appeared onscreen as a stormtrooper, Imperial officer, Bith musician, and Boba Fett. On The Phantom Menace, I operated R2-D2, later serving as R2-D2/Droid Supervisor for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, while continuing as a Senior Model Maker at ILM.

Among my notable Star Wars contributions are building props for Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, crafting the Darth Vader mask that encases Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith, and creating the battery-powered lightsaber for the “Vader vs. Energizer Bunny” commercial. I also conceived, co-wrote, and co-directed the Emmy-nominated mockumentary R2-D2: Beneath the Dome.