Mark Dodson: ‘Gifted’ actor who voiced creatures in Star Wars and Gremlins dies

US actor Mark Dodson, who offered voices for creatures within the Star Wars and Gremlins films, has died aged 64.

His daughter Ciara mentioned he had suffered a “massive heart attack” whereas sleeping, reported TMZ, which mentioned it had spoken to her.

Dodson was the voice of Salacious Crumb, a scruffy monkey-lizard character who was a cackling court docket jester and pet of gangster Jabba the Hutt within the 1983 movie Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi.

A 12 months later, he did the voice for mogwai in one other Hollywood film, Gremlins.

The major mogwai, referred to as Gizmo, was pleasant and docile, however when a buddy of the principle character Billy Peltzer by accident spilled water over Gizmo, 5 extra mogwai got here out of him, who have been extra troublesome and led by the aggressive Stripe.

After being fed after midnight, the mogwai shaped cocoons after which emerged as mischievous monsters referred to as Gremlins.

Dodson is credited on film web site IMDb as being one of many mogwai aside from Gizmo.

Dodson additionally did voices for zombies within the 1985 film Day Of The Dead.

His daughter mentioned he “never ceased making me proud”.

Dodson died in Evansville, Indiana, the place he had been attributable to attend a fan conference.

The Evansville Horror Con posted a tribute on Facebook, saying: “We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of Mark Dodson last night.

“Mark was not solely a gifted voice actor but additionally a cherished member of the horror neighborhood. Our ideas and prayers are along with his household, pals, and followers throughout this extremely troublesome time.

“We hope that you can take a moment out of your day to reflect on the joy and laughter that Mark brought into the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”

The Peter Mayhew Foundation, named after the actor who performed Chewbacca within the Star Wars movie collection, wrote on X: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we learn of the passing of Mark Dodson.

“Mark was real and humorous and the characters he dropped at life will all the time be as iconic as he was sort. Thank you for every little thing Mark, you might be missed.”

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Dodson labored repeatedly for a number of a long time in movie, video video games, radio and commercials as a voice artist.

He is survived by his daughter and grandchildren.