Michael Pennington

Michael Vivian Fyfe Pennington, an English actor, director, and writer, was born on June 7, 1943. He is known for his portrayal of Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod in the film Return of the Jedi. A scene he filmed for Jedi was later repurposed for the Special Edition of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.

Like many other actors who have portrayed Imperial officers, Pennington has had a distinguished career in theatre. Beginning in 1961, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and remained active until 2016. During this time, he performed alongside many prominent actors and directors in various theatrical productions. Furthermore, he co-founded the English Shakespeare Company in 1986. Pennington, along with fellow Star Wars actors such as Michael Culver, James Earl Jones, and Indira Varma, as well as numerous other Star Wars alumni, has graced the stage of the renowned Old Vic theatre. He is especially recognized for his frequent collaborations with Dame Judi Dench and her spouse, Michael Williams.

Beyond his acting roles, Pennington has led instructional workshops for aspiring actors and was the second individual to present the British Academy's annual Shakespeare lecture. He has authored several books analyzing Shakespeare's plays, as well as original one-man plays. He has also contributed to various books, including memoirs and a semi-fictionalized biography of the playwright Chekov. Outside of theatre, Pennington has narrated numerous documentaries and provided voice acting for projects such as the series Raised by Wolves.