Carrie Fisher as Senator Leia Organa & Angus Mac Innes as Gold Leader {image via Lucasfilm}
Canadian actor Angus MacInnes has died at the age of 77. MacInnes was best known in the U.S. for playing Gold Leader in the original Star Wars film (1977), and reprised the role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
Additional roles added to his stack of geek cred included a role as Silich Cure in High Plains Invaders (2009), an appearance on Space: 19999 once, as Jelto in the episode “Devil’s Planet”, a role in Hellboy (2004) as Sgt. Whitman, a role as Judge Silver in 1995’s Judge Dredd, and appearance as a prison warden in Superman II (1980). He was a regular in Space Island One, as Cmdr. Shannon, and in the horrror film The Sender (1982) MacInnes he played Sheriff Prouty.
MacInnes was in three films with Harrison Ford, Witness, Star Wars: A New Hope, and Force 10 from Navarone. MacInnes played Ronson in the horror classic Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
Angus MacInnes was born on October 27, 1947 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He died December 23, 3024, A Facebook statement said “He left us peacefully, surrounded by his family and love.” A cause of death has not yet been released.
Film and Television Roles
In his roughly thirty year career, MacInnes appeared in Canadian, British, and American films and TV shows.
His movies include:
- His film debut as a guard in Rollerball (1975)
- Outland (1981) as Hughes
- The Sender as Sheriff Prouty.
- Strange Brew (1983) as Jean “Rosey” LaRose
- Force 10 from Navarone as Lt. Reynolds
- Witness as Fergie
- Bedroom Eyes (1984) as Lathan
- Hellboy (2004) as Sgt. Whitman
- Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) as Ronson
- Spasms (1983) as Deacon Tyrone
- Spies, Inc. (1992) as Vic
- Operation Delta Force 4: Deep Fault (1999) as Professor Hill
- Captain Phillips (2013) as Maersk Alabama crew
- Judge Dredd as Judge Silver (1995)
- Rhythm & Blues (2000) as Bad Daddy
- Enigma (2001) as Cmdr. Hammerbeck
- Formula 51 (2001) as Pudsy Smith
- Amen (2002) as Tittman
- The Black Dahlia (2006) as Captain John Tierney
- Flight of Fury (2007) as General Tom Barnes
- Captain Phillips (2013) as Maersk Alabama crew
His television roles include:
- Tostig in Vikings
- Inman in U.S.S. Constellation: Battling for Freedom
- Col. Morris in Living the Quake
- General Parker in Fooling Hitler
- Col. Goethals in Seven Wonders of the Industrial World
- Norman Schwartzkopf in Soraya
- Dr. Luke in Too Much Sun
- Sam Casey in Yesterday’s Children
- Lt. Cmdr. Walter Shannon in Space Island One
- Paul Preston in McLibel
- Hemingbeck in Paris
- Jake in Roughnecks
- Patrick Ingram in Between the Lines
- Chuck Fellowes in Lovejoy
- Bill Sullivan in Sleepers
- Dobrowski in Ruth Rendall Mysteries
- Gateman in Eyes Wide Shut
- Collis in Over Here
- Sonny in River City
- A henchman in The Littlest Hobo
- Regan Dexter in Emmerdale Farm
- Trooper #1 in Evergreen
- New York doctor in John and Yoko: A Love Story
- Uncle Ted in The Edison Twins
- Ailich Cure in High Plains Invaders
MacInnes had a long and full career. He should not be remembered for just one role, but he should be remembered. From soap operas to space opera, from horror to comedy to mystery to action-adventure, MacInnes performed competently in a variety of genres, Big budget blockbusters, artistic shorts, movies, TV, he did it all. He will be missed.
I thought Jon Vander must be a typo, but apparently, it’s canon. It would be logical for a Terran pilot named Jon Vander to have the nickname Dutch, but the Star Wars saga takes place “long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away.” Neither the Empire nor the Republic should be familiar with Terran geography and history. Perhaps it’s a translation error from Galactic Standard to English.
Angus MacInnes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and actor died on 23rd of December 2024. He left us peacefully, surrounded by his family and love,” read the statement posted to Facebook. “Angus’ career spanned decades, with unforgettable roles in films such as ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ (as Gold Leader, Jon ‘Dutch’ Vander), ‘Witness,’ ‘Judge Dredd,’ ‘Captain Phillips,’ and many others. His work touched countless lives, and he took great pride in being part of these stories that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.”
To the MacInnes family, his wife, their children and grandchildren, his siblings, his nieces and nephews and to his many friends and fans, we offer our condolences and comfort.
A Message to STAR WARS Fans
His family told The Hollywood Reporter: “For Angus, the fans of Star Wars held a special place in his heart. He loved meeting you at conventions, hearing your stories, and sharing in your passion for the saga,” the family added in their statement. “He was continually humbled, delighted, and honored by the admiration and passion of the fans and convention community.”
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.
