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Jack Purvis

Actor | * 07/13/1937 († 60, 11/21/1997) | London, England (United Kingdom (UK))
Jack Purvis (13 July 1937 – 21 November 1997) was a British film actor. Purvis had dwarfism, and at 4 feet 2 inches (1.27 m) was mainly cast in roles requiring actors of short stature. He appeared in three of director Terry Gilliam's early fantasy films, with significant roles in Time Bandits and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. For twenty years until 1991, Purvis performed as part of a musical comedy double-act with Kenny Baker, billed as the "Mini-Tones". Purvis played the trumpet to Baker's mouth-organ and vibraphone.The duo would attend auditions for Star Wars in 1976, where Baker was instantly cast as R2-D2. At that time the duo had reached the final on the talent show Opportunity Knocks, and were reluctant to put the Mini-Tones work on hold. After some negotiation, Purvis was also hired to appear in the film, and would go on to play a different alien creature in each film of the original trilogy. In 1991, Purvis became quadriplegic after his neck was broken in a car repair accident. This and the 1990 death of David... ()
Photo of Jack Purvis

Jack Purvis was a British film actor. Purvis was a dwarf, and thus was mainly cast in roles requiring actors of short stature. Purvis appeared as a different alien creature in each of the three films of the original Star Wars trilogy, and also appeared in three of director Terry Gilliam's early fantasy films: Time Bandits, Brazil, and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Several years before his death, Purvis became quadriplegic after breaking his neck in a car accident. He died in November 1997 at the age of 60.

Most frequent genres for this person: Adventure | Fantasy | Kids & Family

Known for these Movies & Shows

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Movies with Jack Purvis as Actor(14)

as Nelwyn Band Member (uncredited)1988 Willow
as Jeremy / Gustavus1988 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
as Goblin Corps1986 Labyrinth
as Busker1986 Mona Lisa
as Dr. Chapman1985 Brazil
as Teebo1983 Return of the Jedi
as Additional Performer1982 The Dark Crystal
as Wally1981 Time Bandits
as Chief Ugnaught1980 The Empire Strikes Back
as Great Uncle Bulgaria1977 Wombling Free
as Chief Jawa1977 Star Wars

Full Name: Jack Purvis
Citizenship: United Kingdom (UK)
Born: Tuesday, 07/13 1937 (July) in London, England (United Kingdom (UK))
Died: Friday, 11/21 1997 (November) in Bushey (aged: 60)
Zodiac sign: Cancer (Chinese zodiac sign: Ox)
Languages: English (EN)
Other names for Jack Purvis (nicknames, foreign languages etc.):
"Jackie Purves"
"Jack Purvis (Schauspieler)"
Jack Purvis frequently works together with these people:
George Lucas (13x, Crew)
Kenny Baker (10x, Actor)
Terry Gilliam (9x, Actor)
Phil Tippett (9x, Crew)
Jim Henson (8x, Actor)
Frank Oz (6x, Actor)
Warwick Davis (6x, Actor)
Ben Burtt (5x, Crew)
Irene Lamb (5x, Crew)
Mike Edmonds (5x, Actor)
Charles McKeown (5x, Actor)
WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:740705, Added: 11/01/2018, Last updated: 03/22/2024