Goodbye Bill Hootkins

1948-2005

Bill Hootkins was a man of great talents, intelligence and ability, who could have done anything, but choose to be an actor because that was what he loved to do.

He was probably best known as Jek Porkins from Star Wars, but he also appeared in over 40 other films, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Batman, Flash Gordon, and A&E's The Magnificent Ambersons, and appeared in numerous stage productions. Bill's deep voice also kept him in demand for voice- over parts, and you have probably heard his voice in TV commercials and video games.

We were fortunate to have a professional relationship with Bill, which enabled us to spend many days and evenings with him when he appeared at the occasional fan convention. Bill was a great story teller, with great knowledge of film history, and always had an entertaining story about a famous actor or the goings on behind the scenes of a popular film.

On October 23, 2005, Bill Hootkins succumbed to pancreatic cancer. We have lost a great friend, and cinema has lost a great talent.