It has been reported that Nick Joseph, who had a role in Star Wars: A New Hope as a medal-bearer who hands Princess Leia the awards she then bestows to Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, has passed away at the age of 60. The actor was previously seen two weeks before at a convention in Newcastle, so his death shocked his close friends and loved ones.
Despite having a minor role, Nick Joseph was still part of the iconic award ceremony sequence that closes out A New Hope as he presents the two medals, and he is seen in several shots behind Princess Leia as the film draws to a close. His character was given the name Arhul Hextrophon by Bill Slavicsek and Curtis Smith in the 1987 Star Wars Legends reference book The Star Wars Sourcebook, which later carried over into Star Wars canon proper following the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm. Joseph’s close friend Rick Stanley issued the following statement about his passing on social media:
“Yesterday I received the very sad news from [Nick Joesph’s] wife, Dee, that Nick had passed away suddenly. Steph and I are devastated. I can’t believe I’ve lost my best friend. Over the years, Nick, Dee, and I shared many adventures, including organizing four Star Wars-themed events together. We send our love and prayers to Dee and the family during this very sad time. Rest in the Force, Major Arhul Hextrophon, my dear friend. Until we meet again.”
Outside of the original Star Wars movie, Nick Joseph had a busy 1977 with an appearance as a gun shop employee in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, with other credits including the BBC’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and multiple episodes of Doctor Who, with his last acting credit being in a 2019 episode of EastEnders. He will be missed.
Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.