Who did Angus MacInnes play in Star Wars? Character explored as actor dies aged 77

Canadian actor Angus MacInnes passed away on December 23, 2024, at the age of 77. While MacInnes was a part of different films and TV shows, he gained recognition for playing Jon "Dutch" Vander, or Gold Leader, in the 1977 film Star Wars.

However, the circumstances leading to Angus' demise are yet to be made official. The news was first revealed by his family in a lengthy statement shared through his Facebook account on December 30, 2024, stating that they were beside him at the time of his death.

The post addressed Angus MacInnes' work in various projects over the years and added:

"His work touched countless lives, and he took great pride in being part of these stories that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide."

The statement also mentioned that MacInnes was a "kind, thoughtful, and generous soul" who left an impact on the lives of many people. The late actor's family wrote that he would be missed by all those who knew about his contributions to the entertainment industry over the years. The post also stated that Angus always had a "special place" for the fans of Star Wars.

"He loved meeting you at conventions, hearing your stories, and sharing in your passion for the saga. He was continually humbled, delighted, and honoured by the admiration and passion for the fans and convention community."

While Angus MacInnes accumulated a huge fanbase for his onscreen performances for many years, he maintained privacy when it came to his personal life. This could be one of the reasons why no detailed information about his childhood and educational background is available.

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Angus MacInnes became popular for his appearance in Star Wars

Angus MacInnes, a native of Ontario, Canada, was known for his flawless screen presence and was a part of many successful projects. However, the most memorable one among them was Star Wars, in which MacInnes had the opportunity to play Jon "Dutch" Vander.

Jon was a pilot who first worked for the Galactic Empire's Imperial Navy and the leader of the Gold Squadron, which featured BTL Y-wing light bombers. He also helped take fugitive Senator Mon Mothma to Dantooine and joined his squadron in the battles of Scarif following the Galactic Civil War, which also helped destroy the Shield Gate.

Jon's duty as part of the Gold Squadron was to protect rebel convoys. He was once assigned the responsibility of protecting the former Senator and escorting her ship, Chandrila Mistress, to Dantooine.

Vander and his Squadron had once disabled a command cruiser with ion cannons and later bombed it. They formed a defensive perimeter around the Chandrila Mistress and helped Mothma and her crew go to the Ghost, which allowed the rebels to escape to hyperspace.

Jon and the Gold Squadron were also stationed at the Alliance's secret Base One on Yavin 4, and the former was accompanied by his astromech, R2-BHD, while flying the Gold One. He and the Squadron also made many attack runs on the Shield Gate, taking advantage of the proton bombs to weaken the shield.

Vander became a quadruple ace at one point, with a record of almost 22 kills and 19,997 logged flight hours. He was well aware of starfighter defensive tactics and the usage of Y-wing's ion cannons.

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Apart from Star Wars, Angus MacInnes has been featured in many other films and TV shows since the '70s. It includes Force 10 From Navarone, Superman II, Outland, Strange Brew, Best Revenge, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Judge Dredd, Flight of Fury, and more.