Star Wars Actor Drewe Henley (Red Leader) has just past away

Starwarsunderworld.com reported that Star Wars actor Drewe Henley, the man who played Red Leader the X-Wing pilot from A New Hope, has just passed away at the age of 75.

Here is Henley’s life story, in brief:

Henley had a fantastic career which began back in the early 1960’s. He was known for his roles in films such as Nothing But The Best(1964) and When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth(1970), as well as several Television series including The Doctors and Space: 1999. Henley would go on to have a small but pivotal role in “Star Wars”, as it was know at the time, portraying pilot Garven Dreis. Dreis, who was acknowledged on screen as Red Leader, flew alongside Luke Skywalker(Mark Hamill), Wedge Antilles(Denis Lawson) and Biggs Darklighter(Garrick Hagon) amidst the Battle Of Yavin and through the iconic trench of the first Death Star.

Shortly after appearing in Star Wars Henley was diagnosed with depression and he retired from acting, subsequently running a bed and breakfast with his wife.

Here are some photos of Henley as Red Leader:

What impressed me about Henley is his great acting skills. Though he’s gone I know that just like Dyson, he too will always be remembered in the hearts of many Star Wars fans.