Erik Bauersfeld(June 28, 1922 – April 3, 2016) was an Americanradio dramatistandvoice actor.His most notable role was providing the voices ofAdmiral AckbarandBib Fortunain the third film of the originalStar Wars trilogy,Return of the Jedi(1983),[1]the former of which he subsequently reprised inStar Wars: The Force Awakens(2015).[2]
Erik Bauersfeld | |
|---|---|
 Bauersfeld atRhode Island Comic Conin 2015 | |
| Born | June 28, 1922 |
| Died | April 3, 2016(aged 93) Berkeley, California,U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Radio dramatist, voice actor |
| Years active | 1961–2015 |
Early life
editBauersfeld was attracted to radio work at a very young age. DuringWorld War II,he served in theUnited States Navy.His post-secondary education included time studying atCooper Unionin New York, and then at theUniversity of California, Berkeley,where he concentrated onaestheticsand painting.[3]
Career
editBauersfeld was teaching at theSan Francisco Art Institute,when he began working atPacifica RadiostationKPFA-FM inBerkeley,beginning in 1961.[4]He served as the Director of KPFA's Drama and Literature Department for 31 years.[5]Outside of radio, he dabbled in voiceover work in films and video games.
Bauersfeld was working atLucasfilmon a radio project,[2]with sound designer Randy Thom, when eventually he was approached by Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt. Burtt asked him to read for the part of Ackbar. According to Bauersfeld, he was shown a picture of Ackbar and instantly came up with the character's voice.[5]Ackbar's lines, including the memorable exclamation "It's a trap!", took an hour for Bauersfeld to record.[5]He then spent an additional 30 minutes reading for the voice ofBib Fortuna,who wasJabba the Hutt'smajordomo.[5]Both of his vocal parts were added to the finished production ofReturn of the Jedi,but Bauersfeld received no screen credit at the time.[5]
He was the last person to read for the part ofYoda,a role that eventually went to puppeteerFrank Oz.[6]
He also voiced several characters in the 1979 Highbridge audio productions ofThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings.
Bauersfeld reprised his role as the voice of Admiral Ackbar in several video games (includingStar Wars: X-WingandStar Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron), as well as inStar Wars: The Force Awakens.[7]Following his death in 2016, the role of Ackbar was taken over by veteranStar Warsvoice actorTom KaneforStar Wars: The Last Jedi.
Personal life and death
editHe was a close friend of poet and activistLawrence Ferlinghetti.[5]In 2015, he attended the Star Wars Celebration at Anaheim.[8]
Bauersfeld died at his home inBerkeley, California,on 3 April 2016, at the age of 93.[9][10]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Return of the Jedi | Admiral Gial Ackbar/Bib Fortuna(voice) | [11] | |
| 2001 | A.I. Artificial Intelligence | Gardener (voice) | [12] | |
| 2015 | Crimson Peak | Additional voices | [13] | |
| Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Admiral Gial Ackbar (voice) | Final film role | [12] |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Voice role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Star Wars: X-Wing | Admiral Gial Ackbar | [12] |
| 2009 | Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron | [14] |
References
edit- ^Hartlaub, Peter (July 14, 2015)."Let this 93-year-old voice Admiral Ackbar in the new" Star Wars "".San Francisco Chronicle.Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2016.RetrievedDecember 22,2015.
- ^abAdam Withnall (5 April 2016)."Admiral Ackbar voice actor Erik Bauersfeld dies aged 93".independent.co.uk.The Independent.Retrieved9 April2016.
- ^"California School of Fine Arts | The Faculties".Register - University of California.Vol. II. University of California Press. 1956. p. 12.
- ^Moyer, Justin Wm. (April 5, 2016)."'Star Wars' actor Erik Bauersfeld — 'It's a trap!' — dead at 93 ".The Washington Post.RetrievedApril 5,2016.
- ^abcdefHartlaub, Peter (September 20, 2011)."Admiral Ackbar speaks: Erik Bauersfeld a force in 'Star Wars' cosmos".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 22,2015.
- ^Admiral Ackbar speaks: The Erik Bauersfeld interview.14 February 2012 – via YouTube.
- ^Hayden, Erik (4 April 2016)."Erik Bauersfeld, Admiral Ackbar Voice Actor in 'Star Wars' Films, Dies at 93".hollywoodreporter.com.The Hollywood Reporter, LLC.Retrieved13 August2022.
- ^"Star Wars Celebration 2015: Ian McDiarmid and More Confirmed".starwars.com.StarWars.com.Retrieved9 April2016.
- ^Hayden, Erik (April 4, 2016)."Erik Bauersfeld, Admiral Ackbar Voice Actor in 'Star Wars' Films, Dies at 93".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedApril 4,2016.
- ^"Erik Bauersfeld, who immortalized, 'It's a trap' as Admiral Ackbar in Star Wars, dies".The Guardian.5 April 2016.Retrieved9 April2016.
- ^Hayden, Erik (4 April 2016)."Erik Bauersfeld, Admiral Ackbar Voice Actor in 'Star Wars' Films, Dies at 93".hollywoodreporter.com.The Hollywood Reporter, LLC.Retrieved16 August2022.
- ^abc"Erik Bauersfeld (Visual voices guide)".
- ^Pederson, Erik (4 April 2016)."Erik Bauersfeld Dies: Voice Of Admiral Ackbar In 'Star Wars' Films Was 93".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved16 August2022.
- ^Kelly, Helen (5 April 2016)."Star Wars' Admiral Ackbar actor Erik Bauersfeld dies aged 93".express.co.uk.Express Newspapers.Retrieved16 August2022.