Angus MacInnes, best known for his role as Gold Leader Jon “Dutch” Vander in the original “Star Wars” movie and “Rogue One,” passed away on December 23, 2024. He was 77 at the time of his death, which occurred at his residence in Edinburgh, Scotland.

His family released a statement on December 23, 2024, expressing their sorrow over the loss of their beloved family member. “Angus MacInnes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and actor died on (the) 23rd of December 2024,” they announced. “He left us peacefully, surrounded by his family and love.”

MacInnes was born on October 27, 1947 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He gained cinematic fame as Gold Leader in the 1977 film “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope,” where he commanded a Y-wing fighter squadron during the iconic Death Star attack. His character played a crucial role in the initial attack run on the Death Star’s thermal exhaust port, which led to the final confrontation where Luke Skywalker destroyed the space station.

After almost four decades, MacInnes revisited his role in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” in 2016. He provided the voice for his character while archive footage from his original performance was used in the film’s ending, introducing his character to a fresh audience.

MacInnes’s acting career stretched over numerous decades, during which he provided notable performances in blockbuster films like “Star Wars: A New Hope,” “Witness,” “Judge Dredd,” and “Captain Phillips,” among others. His work consistently resonated with audiences, and he found particular satisfaction in being part of film narratives that remained culturally relevant and engaged viewers of all ages.

His film credits also include significant roles in “Rollerball,” “Superman II,” “Hellboy,” and “Eyes Wide Shut.” On the small screen, MacInnes portrayed Tostig on the History Channel’s “Vikings” and Sonny Munro on the Scottish TV series “River City.” He relocated to Edinburgh in the mid-1980s, which became his home base.

“For Angus, the fans of Star Wars held a special place in his heart,” his family shared. “He loved meeting you at conventions, hearing your stories, and sharing in your passion for the saga. He was continually humbled, delighted, and honored by the admiration and passion of the fans and convention community.”

Despite the initial challenges he faced during the filming of his scenes as Gold Leader, MacInnes’s connection to “Star Wars” ran deep. He had to adapt to the unique demands of acting in a cockpit, often resorting to reading his lines from scripts placed around the set in the absence of other actors for cues.

Outside of his on-screen roles, MacInnes remained a fixture in the entertainment industry up until his passing. He balanced his acting career with appearances at fan conventions worldwide, where he regularly recounted stories about his experiences working on the seminal “Star Wars” film.