Richard Le Parmentier

Richard Le Parmentier July 16, 1946-April 15, 2013 Every time we find someone's lack of faith disturbing, we'll think of him. At age 66, Richard Le Parmentier is one with the Force. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1946, and educated at Wayne State University, Richard was a talented actor and director whose career spanned four decades and dozens of projects, including roles in more than 50 movies. He famously played a choking victim of Star Wars villain Darth Vader in 1977 film A New Hope. He was also Lt. Santino in 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and had roles in the film Rollerball, the James Bond film, Octopussy and in the Christopher Reeve film, Superman II. He also had several roles in British television shows such as Capital City and We'll Meet Again, and in a number of London theatre productions. He also narrated the video game, Soldiers: Heroes of World War II. He was a prolific screenwriter, and was working recently on the screenplay for Solano Grove, about the composer Frederick Delius who lived for a time in Florida. Typically, Richard cultivated an active social life in Austin. He made a number of close friends with the petanque players at the French Legation and elsewhere. He was also collaborating with his Austin-based friend on his latest project, a movie set in - where else - Austin. Richard's children, Rhiannon, Stephanie and Tyrone, along with his god-daughter Cordelia Norman and Richard's ex-wife Cheryl Norman and her husband, Mark Norman are deeply grateful to the many friends and devoted fans who have written personal remembrances of Richard. They all speak of Richard as a warm, genuine person with an unparalleled joie de vivre and gift for friendship (and many mention his prowess on the petanque piste). We have all been heartened to read so many of these wonderful tributes both those sent to us privately, and others posted online. He was no respecter of convention, except comic conventions. Richard adored traveling the world and meeting his friends and fellow Star Wars fans, and always returned to us with many stories of the hospitality he enjoyed. His usual home was in Bath, England, but last week - as was so often the case - he was visiting us in Austin, Texas. He was staying at the home of Cheryl & Mark Norman and their daughter, Cordelia. We all got along famously, and had so many happy days in Austin where he lead us in petanque battles; pool contests with Cordelia; training up our four rambunctious dogs (three ridgebacks and a labrador); barbecuing steaks and watching and discussing movies. We feel fortunate to have been able to spend so much time with him recently. He sent to us the final draft of his latest script two days before death, with its sorcerer's ways, took him from us. He has gone to the Stars, and he will be missed. We love you Richard, and we will miss you so very much. Love, Tyrone, Stephanie, and Rhiannon Le Parmentier, Cordelia Norman and Cheryl & Mark Norman. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar. Funeral services will be held the following morning, 11:00 a.m. April 26, 2013 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com