Erik Bauersfeld, Voice of Admiral Ackbar in ‘Star Wars,’ Has Died at 93
You may not immediately recognize the name Erik Bauersfeld, but you are undoubtedly familiar with his most famous line. The actor was the voice of Admiral Ackbar in Return of the Jedi, helping to popularize the alien’s signature phrase, “It’s a trap!” Bauersfeld has passed away at the age of 93, and though he’ll be remembered most for his role in Star Wars, the actor also worked with great directors like Guillermo del Toro and Steven Spielberg.
As reported by THR and confirmed to various outlets by his manager Derek Maki, Bauersfeld passed away in his home in California on the morning of Sunday, April 3. The actor and radio dramatist lent his voice to the role of Admiral Ackbar in Return of the Jedi, recently reprising the iconic part for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The small but crucial supporting role became a fan favorite over the years, thanks to that one unforgettable line.
In addition to voicing Ackbar in Return of the Jedi, Bauersfeld was the voice behind Bib Fortuna, an employee of intergalactic crime boss Jabba the Hutt, and provided the voice of Ackbar in the 1993 video game Star Wars: X-Wing.
Star Wars offered Bauersfeld his most memorable work, and though his filmography is short, it’s quite impressive. The actor also lent his voice to the role of Gardener in Steven Spielberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, and performed as various voices in Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak.
Bauersfeld appeared as himself in documentaries about Jack Kerouac and activist / poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the latter of whom was a close friend.