Don Bies

Donald "Don" Bies, a special effects expert and sometimes actor, contributed his talents to both the Star Wars The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition and the Prequel trilogy.

His journey in the film world commenced with The Fly (1986) at the age of 24. Following his involvement in The Kiss (1988) and The Fly II (1989), he secured a position at Industrial Light & Magic. While there, he lent his skills to productions like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Congo (1995), Starship Troopers (1997), A.I. (2001), and Pirates of the Caribbean (2003).

Biography

Bies's initial foray into the Star Wars universe occurred in 1997, where he served as a creator of creatures and models for the special editions of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Bies also made a cameo appearance in Return of the Jedi as one of the aliens, specifically portraying a Bith musician named Barquin D'an, the Kloo horn player within the Max Rebo Band. Furthermore, he stepped in for Jeremy Bulloch to embody the iconic Boba Fett in certain new scenes. That same year, he was also responsible for the creation of props used in Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II.

In 1999, his involvement extended to Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, where he not only contributed as a model maker but also took on the role of puppeteer for R2-D2. Additionally, he briefly appeared as a mechanic within one of the pod race boxes. He also collaborated in the co-direction, co-writing, and co-starring of R2-D2: Beneath the Dome, a mockumentary that humorously chronicles the career of "actor" R2-D2, and is featured on the Special Features disc accompanying the DVD release of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.

During the production of Episode II, Don held the position of supervisor for the droid unit, while also reprising his role as the R2-D2 puppeteer. He also had a brief cameo in the nightclub scene where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are in pursuit of Zam Wesell through Coruscant. He continued his involvement in the Star Wars saga with Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, once again serving as the droid unit supervisor and R2-D2 puppeteer. Furthermore, he operated R2-D2 and acted as C-3PO's wardrobe manager for the 2005 mini-series titled Science of Star Wars.

Following his contributions to the prequel trilogy, Bies departed from ILM in 2004.

Personal life

Anna Bies, his wife, also contributed to Lucasfilm; she worked as a model builder for Episode I and as the costume designer for Dark Forces II.

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Appearances