Angus MacInnes, known for his role as Gold Leader Jon “Dutch” Vander in the original Star Wars and “Rogue One,” passed away on December 23, 2024, at his residence in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was 77 years old.
His family confirmed his death, stating, “To all Angus’ fans around the world, with breaking hearts we write this: Angus MacInnes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and actor died on (the) 23rd of December 2024.” They added that he died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.
MacInnes, born on October 27, 1947, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, rose to fame as Gold Leader, leading a Y-wing fighter squadron during the dramatic Death Star assault in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977). His character’s initial attack on the Death Star’s thermal exhaust port set the stage for Luke Skywalker’s ultimate victory over the space station.
About four decades after his first appearance, MacInnes lent his voice to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016), where archival footage of his original performance was included in the closing scenes, bridging the gap between his character and a new generation of Star Wars enthusiasts.
According to his family, MacInnes had a diverse and prolonged acting career, featuring in several significant films such as “Star Wars: A New Hope,” “Witness,” “Judge Dredd,” and “Captain Phillips” among others.
His work resonated profoundly with audiences, and MacInnes cherished being part of films that remained culturally relevant and continued to captivate audiences of various age groups.
His roles in “Rollerball,” “Superman II,” “Hellboy,” and “Eyes Wide Shut” were also notable. Additionally, he portrayed Tostig in the History Channel’s series “Vikings” and Sonny Munro in the Scottish television series “River City” after settling in Edinburgh in the mid-1980s.
According to his family, “For Angus, the fans of Star Wars held a special place in his heart. He loved meeting you at conventions, hearing your stories, and sharing in your passion for the saga. He was continually humbled, delighted, and honored by the admiration and passion of the fans and convention community.”
Although his scenes as Gold Leader posed certain challenges, such as acting in a cockpit and reading lines from scripts placed around the set in the absence of other actors, MacInnes’s connection to “Star Wars” remained strong.
MacInnes continued to be active in the entertainment industry until recently, frequently attending fan conventions worldwide, where he enjoyed sharing anecdotes about his experiences on the set of the first “Star Wars” film.