Actor Richard Bonehill (Nien Nunb) Dies at 67.

Nien Nunb

Richard Bonehill appeared in multiple roles in “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”. He played a Stormtrooper, a rebel soldier, a TIE fighter pilot, a Tauntaun handler and the character Nien Nunb, one of the most beloved minor characters by the fans.

 

 

Variety reports:

 

Richard Bonehill, a swordsman and actor known for various roles in the “Star Wars” films, has died at the age of 67. Details of his death were not immediately available.

News of his death was reported by the Truro Fencing Club in the U.K., where Bonehill served as head coach for 12 years until 2007 and was president when he died.

 

 

Bonehill also worked as an actor, fencing coach and sword master on films and TV series such as “The Avengers,” “Rob Roy,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Robin Hood” and “Jason and the Argonauts.” He also appeared on “Doctor Who.”

 

richard bonehill

 

Very sad news indeed. Our deepest sympathies go out to Bonehill’s family and friends.

 

Note: The character Nien Nunb was realized as a puppet for his appearance in Return of the Jedi. He was performed by Mike Quinn and Richard Bonehill. Mike performed the acting in the cockpit, which was a large animatronic hand puppet and Richard was the extra who was in the full body suit. (via scifi.stackexchange.com)

 

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Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.

Born on April 24, 1980.

Val Trichkov (Viral Hide)

Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.Born on April 24, 1980.

27 thoughts on “Actor Richard Bonehill (Nien Nunb) Dies at 67.

  • February 6, 2015 at 3:20 pm
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    I cant believe… I watched episode VI yesterday….

  • February 6, 2015 at 4:01 pm
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    🙁

  • February 6, 2015 at 4:08 pm
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    R.I.P., or in Nien Nunb’s language, “Heebinahoobinawatoo oobinanheyheyotto oouuu”.

  • February 6, 2015 at 4:08 pm
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    When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse

  • February 6, 2015 at 5:03 pm
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    Is it weird to admit that other than Darth Vader, Nien Nunb is my most quoted star wars character?

    R.I.P. bonehill, thank you for making an awesome saga that much more epic. My prayers and condolences go out to your family.

  • February 6, 2015 at 5:07 pm
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    He’s not really dead as long as we can find a way to remember him.

    R.I.P. Mr. Bonehill

  • February 6, 2015 at 5:49 pm
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    RIP how sad. Just an aside because I’m excited and he is in above scene… I am lucky get to meet Billy Dee Williams this weekend.

  • February 6, 2015 at 6:37 pm
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    Would be awesome if they made a tribute to him and included one of his family or race in these sequels. Sure, he was a small character, but I think many of us loved his jovial, enthusiastic character in such intense battle scenes. Ironically he added a lot of humanity to his scenes. RIP Mr. Bonehill, thank you for your contributions to cinema!

  • February 6, 2015 at 6:38 pm
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    R.I.P. Mr. Bonehill and thanks for sharing your talents with the world.

  • February 6, 2015 at 7:04 pm
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    R.I.P Richard Nien Nunb=coolest Mexican alien of all time (Not being rude or racist just trying to lighten the mood)Me and my brother loved Nien Nunb brought us joy and laughter thank you.

  • February 6, 2015 at 7:23 pm
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    Without him Rebel Alliance would be doomed, as they wouldn´t know that the shield was still up without the readings. Hope you can find the better place amongst the house of your ancestors Richard Bonehill, R.I.P and Maytheforcebewithyou

  • February 6, 2015 at 9:04 pm
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    🙁

  • February 6, 2015 at 9:08 pm
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    I cant stop thinking of VI when the falcon was about to scrape the top in the death star and he just says “wha…”, making me laugh as i write it.

  • February 6, 2015 at 9:52 pm
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    It’s so sad that his character isn’t in LEGO Star Wars II, just in the cutscenes 🙁

    R.I.P

  • February 6, 2015 at 10:40 pm
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    R.I.P., good sir.

    So was he the puppeteer or the voice? Or both? Nien Nunb was a puppet performed by more than one puppeteer. Any clarification?

  • February 6, 2015 at 10:56 pm
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    RIP to Mr. Bonehill. Wasn’t somebody talking about Nien Numb being in TFA?

  • February 7, 2015 at 1:11 am
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    Who’s Nien Numb? At least you got Bonehill right.

  • February 7, 2015 at 4:19 am
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    RIP

    HOWEVER, (no disrespect intended) anybody could have played that role. It’s all costume

  • February 7, 2015 at 4:29 am
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    Hey, isn’t he MORE famous for playing Mon Calamari??

    It’s a TRAP!!

  • February 7, 2015 at 8:46 am
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    These comments show how the people in this site don’t have any kind of respect.

  • February 7, 2015 at 12:42 pm
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    That’s not him in the pic, its Mike Quinn, Richard never did cockpit shots. Mike Quinn is so pissed about this, check his facebook

      • February 8, 2015 at 8:32 pm
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        Except that that’s Ten Numb, not Nien Numb… Right? That there is a B-Wing pilot. He might have done him too but it’s not Nien.

        • February 12, 2015 at 5:43 am
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          Stop calling him Numb!! What is wrong with all you people!!

  • February 7, 2015 at 4:38 pm
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    He was a Fencing Expert/ Coach/ President of an association?

    As much as I like the character,
    Richard Bonehill the Man sounds like a way better thing to commemorate.

    He got a killer bit-acting gig. Then he moved on with his life and had an actual career after that, like “well-loved coach”? not too shabby.

    RIP Mr. Bonehill

  • February 7, 2015 at 10:05 pm
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    You made your mark in history. It is sad to see one of the team go.

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