The Original Voice of Boba Fett, Jason Wingreen, dead at age 95
Jason Wingreen, the original voice of Boba Fett, has passed away at the age of 95. The character actor, famous for his recurring role on the series “All in the Family” as well as a number of other roles died in his home in Los Angeles on December 25th.
Although it remained unknown for nearly 2 decades after the release of Empire Strikes Back, Wingreen voiced Boba Fett who was portrayed on screen by Jeremy Bulloch. Wingreen’s contributions went uncredited in the film, but his role was revealed in a Star Wars Insider article in 2000. Four years later, George Lucas would replace Wingreen’s work with that of Temuera Morrison on the DVD release of Empire Strikes Back in order to create consistency with the voice of Jango Fett from Attack of the Clones. But, to many older Star Wars fans, Wingreens voice will always be the true voice of the bounty hunter that bested the galaxy’s slickest smuggler and baited a Jedi.
Wingreen will be fondly remembered by Star Wars fans and our thoughts go out to his family.
For a full obituary on Wingreen’s lengthy career, check out this piece in the New York Times.
Oh wow he was the bartender in Archies Place too. Never knew he voice Boba. RIP.
Too bad his performance was thrown out…
He will always be Boba to me…
I’m surprised he lived so long since it sounded like he smoked his entire life.
His Fett voice was awesome. Why they did not keep it is a mystery to me. The Clone Wars showed that clones could have radically different voices. Once again I am reminded of my disappointment with Uncle George.
I like to think his vocal chords got damaged along the way which is why he had it.
There you go another more than valid reason to justify that. What was cool about Fett is you could make him what you will in your imagination.
Exactly, I never got why he wasn’t the clone template if they were going to force him into II. He said he was “too old” which is BS considering he’d be about Vader’s age rather than Han’s in the OT if he was and no one complained about The Dark Lord Of The Sith’s ability to kick ass.
The definitive voice of Boba Fett imo. The one I always hear in my head when reading the books or comics. I didn’t think Temura Morrison did a bad job as Jango but you could totally tell all the lines he re-recorded (much like McDiarmid’s) in Empire were done first take and sounded very off.
He will always be the voice of Boba Fett. I heard his voice and it’s cool and the right one for the character. When they replace his voice to Jengo Fett’s, I was disappointed and I hope they bring the classic trilogy on Blu-ray. Till then, I have to listen to the wrong voice again. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Dead at age 95? This is quite disrespectful. You mean died at age 95.
Rip btw.
“He’s no good to me dead!”
(Clear skies to you, Mr. Wingreen…)
Thank you for this article, SWNN. And R.I.P., Mr. Fett. The sarlacc pit of life has finally consumed you. 😉
He did a way better performance in the role than Morrison. RIP
YEP – morrison sounds like a BORED new zealander.
stick your special editions up your arse Lucas, this is the one and only voice of Fett thankfully I have the despecialised edition to keep it true.
One of the changes in Empire that always makes me cringe no matter how many times I hear it. Come on Disney, give us what we want.
Thanks to the asshole Lucas for throwing Jason Wingreen’s voice-role in the garbage can.
Jason wingreen made Boba Fett sound MENACING. Temuera Morrison made Boba Fett sound BORED. #SpecialEditionHATE
May he RIP. He was also very nice to fans and collectors…always signing through the mail for free and answering fanmail. MTFBWY.