You may not know Deep ‘s name nor remember his face, but if you’ve watched any science fiction, the odds are good you’ve seen him. He was in Blake’s Seven, Dr. Who, and The New Avengers, He was born Mohinder Purba on January 26, 1949 (according to his IMDB page), in Nairobi, in what was then the Protectorate of Kenya . That makes him 72 years old today!
At 4’4″ (132 cm) Deep Roy is one of Great Britain’s most active Little Person actors. Deep Roy is a puppeteer and stuntman, as well as an actor. He has played elves Benji’s Very Own Christmas Story (1978), apes in Planet of the Apes (2001) and Greystroke, The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), and aliens in Dr. Who, assassins in Hanoi Xan’s Death Dwarves, had a role in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai in the 8th Dimension (1984), and played an Italian assassin in The Pink Panther Strikes. Again (1976).
One of his known roles was playing all 165 Ompa-Loompas in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) (oddly, he did not appear in any of the Harry Potter movies).
Deep Roy is one of only five actors who appeared in both the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises: Deep Roy, George Takei, Clive Revill, Jason Wingreen, Felix Silla. He played Droopy McCool in Star Wars VI: The Return of the Jedi (2983) and Return of the Ewok (1982). He was also a stand in for Yoda in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Deep Roy played Keenser in StarTrek (2009) and reprised the role in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). He even played a hitchhiking ghost in Disney’s The Haunted Mansion (2003).
Deep Roy voiced General Bonesapart in Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride (2005) In The NeverEnding Story(1984), he played Teeny Weeny, the rider of the racing snail. In Dr. Who, Deep Roy played Mr. Sin in “The Talons of Weng Chiang” episode alongside Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor. In the episode “The Trial of a Time Lord.” he played a Possican delegate with Colin Baker as the 4th Doctor.
SciFi.Radio wishes Deep Roy a happy birthday. Although his stuntman days may be behind him, his acting career could go on for decades, if he wishes. Having been a fan of his work since the early 80’s, this reporter would be delighted to see him in future roles.
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Susan Macdonald is the author of the children's book "R is for Renaissance Faire", as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in "Alternative Truths", "Swords and Sorceress #30", Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, "Cat Tails" "Under Western Stars", and "Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid". Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio's web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
