Jack Purvis

Purvis's cinematic journey began with Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope in the year 1977. His associate, Baker, was in discussions to play R2-D2. Because this would have required Baker to forgo his lucrative summer theater engagements, which would have negatively impacted Purvis's livelihood, Baker and Purvis successfully persuaded the production team to cast both of them in the film. Purvis was then cast as the Chief Jawa, who is seen attacking and disabling his friend's droid character. He also played Kitik Keed'kak, a patron of the cantina, with his son Andy Purvis stepping in for one day, and a power droid located in Mos Eisley.

Purvis was once again asked to perform in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. While Jawas were absent from this particular installment, a role suitable for someone of his stature was available: the Chief Ugnaught. Later identified within the Expanded Universe as Ugloste, Purvis can be observed in Cloud City during the sequence where Han Solo is encased in carbonite.

For the last time, Jack Purvis made a return to the Star Wars saga in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Although Jawas were present in this film, their presence was limited to background roles. Instead, Purvis took on the role of Teebo, a member of the Ewok species. His character, Teebo, was a gray Ewok wielding an axe and wearing a skull as a helmet. He stands out as the sole individual credited across all three original films for portraying distinct characters in each installment. Purvis's daughter Katie, who also had dwarfism, was in her teens and had a role as an Ewok mother, holding a Wokling in her arms.

Later in life, Jack Purvis was involved in an accident involving his own car after parking. The brakes gave way, causing the vehicle to roll backwards and trap him between the bumper and a wall. This resulted in a broken neck and paralysis for the remainder of his life. Purvis passed away in November of 1997 in Bushey Hertfordshire, England, at the age of sixty.

• The Art of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
• The Jedi Master's Quizbook
• " Jack Purvis Remembered " — Star Wars Insider 37
• " When Artoo Met Wicket " — Star Wars Insider 39
• " Set Piece " — Star Wars Insider 61
• " Yub Nub!: 40 Years of the Ewoks " — Star Wars Insider 217
• " Andy Purvis: A Bug's Life " — Star Wars Insider 218

• Jack Purvis on Wikipedia
• Jack Purvis at the Internet Movie Database