Canadian actress Maria de Aragon, who played Greedo in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) has died at the age of 81. She was born December 26, 1942 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She died April 30, 2024, also in Montreal, of natural causes.
She appeared in the Wonder Women television series (1973) as Linda, one of Dr. Tsu’s sexy all-girl army. Of her twelve movie roles, a quarter of them were uncredited. Her first film role was as a dancer (uncredited) in Those Who Think Young (1964). Her final performance was in Street Wars (1991).
Her first science fiction role WAS AS Jeanne in The Cremators (1972). She was a nurse in the disaster-drama City on Fire (1972). She appeared in Where the Wind Dies (1976 )as Patty. In Teenager (1974) she portrayed Jennifer.
Her biggest role in her brief career was as Greedo in Star Wars, but her face was never seen in that. Woody Anders observed De Aragon “carved out a nifty little niche portraying dangerous, but irresistible femme fatale types in several deliciously down’n’dirty 70’s drive-in exploitation features.” The best example of this was as Nanette in Love Me Like I Do (1970). There are worse things than finding a niche and filling it well. She also performed on stage, in addition to in movies.
Who shot first, Han or Greedo?
Her family has not yet released further details. We must try to respect their privacy at this difficult time. At the time of her death, she was living in the CHSLD Nicolet nursing home in Montreal.
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.
