'Star Wars' Actor Dies: Richard LeParmentier Dead At 66, How Did He Die?

Almost four decades after being choked by Darth Vader, Admiral Motti of the Death Star has passed away.

Actor Richard LeParmentier, who played the malograted official in "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope," passed away in his son's house in Austin, Texas. He was 66.

The actor was visiting his children when he suddenly passed away on Tuesday, according to his publicist. The causes of the death are still unknown.

LeParmentier was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., and moved to Britain in 1947. At the moment of his death, he had fixed his residency in Bath, England.

A regular in British television, LeParmentier is best remembered in the U.S. as Admiral Motti of "Star Wars," who holds the honor of offending Darth Vader and lived to tell the tale. When mocking Vader's fear for the ancient Jedi religion, the Sith chokes him with the force, but releases him free.

LeParmentier is survived by his ex- wife, actress Sarah Douglas, whom he met in the set of "Superman II," where they both had supporting roles. The two were married from 1981 to 1984.

His children Rhiannon, Stephanie and Tyrone remembered their father as "someone who did not respect any conventions, but a comical convention."