Star Wars: Actor Interview

I recently interviewed Richard LeParmentier, who played the role of General Motti in "Star Wars."

Bell: You played the role of General Motti in the film "Star Wars." Any comments?

LeParmentier: It was my third film, and I was on a roll in my career at the time. I was going from one project to the next: film, TV, Theatre. I was offered a two line part and turned it down because I didn't want two lines. A friend took the role and spent the morning at the studio. George came up to him at lunch and told him the scene had been cut, and he went home.

A month later, I was offered the role of Motti, which was obviously a very good part; my schedule was perfect. I just finished playing a drug dealer on TV, and I was due to start rehearsing the role of Ernest Hemingway for the BBC. I had a week between the two and I took the part.

My friend who wasn't in "Star Wars" has never let me forget it.]

I liked the script when I read it, and we all assumed they could do the SFX.

This turned out not be the case as the history of ILM will tell you.]

Bell: What was the most challenging scene for you during the filming of "Star Wars?" and why?

LeParmentier: Keeping a straight face while working with Carrie Fisher. She was the class clown. She was great fun; although I didn't realize how much fun she was having until I read her autobiography. The choke was easy. Some people can wiggle their ears...I could flex my neck muscles. When I showed it to George, he reset the scene, and it's a bit of schtick that I've never been able to use again.

Bell: Any behind the scenes/ memorable moments?

LeParmentier: Carrie on set; the heat: there was a drought on in Britain and those uniforms were hot, but not as hot a Darth Vader's.

Watching Peter Cushing put on a white linen glove to smoke his handmade cigarettes.

Going into the commissary for lunch and being confronted with a bar full of aliens from the cantina who were having make up tests that day.

Going to see it for the first time. I missed the cast and crew screening, as I was making a terrible movie in the South of France, but you don't say no to a free trip to the South of France.

I went to a sold out performance at the biggest threatre in London with my girlfriend at the time and her five and seven year old niece and nephew. The theatre was packed, and I, like everyone else, gasped at the opening shot (still the best opening shot in movies) As the film rolled on, I kept thinking "I'm in this movie!!"

Twenty years after the first opening: taking my five year old son and his class to see the Special Edition of "Star Wars," and hearing them gasp at the opening shot and then again when Vader appears.

Seeing my action figure for the first time.

Going on stage at Celebration III.

You see, "Star Wars" just goes on.

I would like to thank Richard LeParmentier for allowing me to interview him.