Between 1999 and 2009 Lightsabre.co.uk brought news, fanfic, podcasts and much, much more to the masses. Our twenty-eighth guest was Darth Vader’s victim in A New Hope and helped introduce us to that ancient religion – the late Richard LeParmentier.
Lightsabre – Richard, welcome to Lightsabre.
RLP – Thanks.
Lightsabre – You’ve been in numerous productions, from Rollerball and Reds to Capital City and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and yet you are probably most widely remembered as Admiral Motti in A New Hope. How do you feel about that?
RLP – I love it. There are a few films I’ve done that I’d rather not be remembered for. So being part of a film that has had such an effect on millions of people is pretty fantastic. When I walked onstage at Celebration III and five hundred fans started chanting, “Motti, Motti!” it was one of the best moments of my life.
Lightsabre – Tell us something of your career. How did you begin in entertainment and what led you to where you are today?
RLP – I started in High School in Florida. Our drama teacher told three of us that we had what it takes to be professionals so we went for it and oddly enough all three of us were successful.
Lightsabre – What has it been like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon?
RLP – Unbelievable. I missed the cast and crew screening because I was filming in France so i saw it first with a paying audience and that opening shot blew us all away. I kept thinking to myself, “I’m in this movie!!”
Over the years as I started doing conventions and events and met so many great fans I feel humbled at times. Considering I turned down a two line part that was cut and was then offered Motti a month later, Star Wars was my best career move.
Lightsabre – We often hear funny stories from the sets of the movies. What memories do you have of working with Lucas and the great Don Henderson, as well as the legendary Peter Cushing?
RLP – Peter was very reserved, almost taciturn off camera. He smoked handmade cigarettes and would put on a linen glove to smoke them. I remember this glove was stained yellow and he’d change it every two or three cigarettes. He remarked that he was waiting too meet his wife who had died three years earlier. All in all a strange and charismatic man. But on set he was amazing to watch. When he threatened Leia by raising his hand, she was taken aback. He was a fabulous actor.
Don Henderson was a rogue, he was out clubbing every night during the week we shot and his driver would get a message at two am giving him the address where to pick up at six for the ride to Elstree Studios. Another great actor and funny man. We both lived in Stratford upon Avon for a while and he and his wife and I became great friends.
Lightsabre – Did you have any idea that your choking scene would turn out to be so popular? After all, it’s not often an actor chokes on set and gets plaudits for it?
RLP – In a way I did. When I read the script I knew it would be a hit. It just worked in spite of being overwritten and overlong, the story just worked. I didn’t know what Darth would look like and I didn’t know what the Death Star looked like until I saw the movie but the whole thing worked for me on the page and I felt they wouldn’t be making it unless they could do all those SFX. I knew my scene set up the Darkside so it was important. I can’t tell you how many time adult fans have come up to me and said how much Vader choking me scared them when they were eight years old.
Lightsabre – You have developed another career as a writer, with work on the much-loved Boon, the hugely popular Love Hurts and Solano Grove. How satisfying has that career turn been for you?
RLP – More than I could have ever imagined. I started writing like most actors do – because you get sick of being sent bad scripts but now I’d rather write but I have to admit that I’m missing acting somewhat. I’ve been asked to do a short film with a director and we’ll start writing it in January and I’ll play the lead. That’s the first time I’ve done that, act in my own work. I’m also turning Solano Grove into a novel, very taxing but rewarding. I have a wonderful editor though.
Lightsabre – What would you change about your Star Wars experience if you could go back and do it again.
RLP – If I knew then what I know now I’d have gotten more money and secured my image rights. We all would have done that.
Lightsabre – As we know, Admiral Motti met his demise in the original Star Wars, but if he’d managed to get on board that ship waiting for Tarkin and blast off, what do you think the future would have held for Motti?
RLP – That will be the subject of a fan film I’ve written and will be directing next year. You’ll choke with laughter, believe me. I’m putting up half the budget myself so if any fans want to pick up the remainder I can guarantee them a great time and a part in a fan epic. Thanks in advance for the plug.
Lightsabre – We now know the Star Wars TV series is on its way. Would you be interested in a role, maybe as a relative of Motti?
RLP – Sure. But as a relative of Motti I don’t know. Perhaps as a guest alien but not as a genial rebel general, that’s for sure.
Lightsabre – What do you foresee for yourself in the future?
RLP – I’m setting up a hotel which is very like producing which I love to do and then my three writing/acting projects over the next year. I don’t do that many conventions anymore only the ones that appeal to me and provide an opportunity to travel like Panama which was fabulous.
Lightsabre – A quick question about our site. Any comments?
RLP – You boys have one helluva site; I’ve never seen such a comprehensive site. I am truly impressed. The sheer work and the imagination you all bring to it is wonderful.
Lightsabre – It’s been a great interview, and thanks for being our guest. Just one final question. Admiral Motti has a vision through the Force of Vaders intention to throttle him in the briefing room. Motti knows it will happen, so what does he do to protect himself? Learn the ways of the Force In twenty minutes, wear a neck collar or get a fast ship to Coruscant?
RLP – Motti being resourceful and loyal to the Empire would have read The Force for Dummies.
This interview was originally posted on lightsabre.co.uk on 27th November 2005. As a result of this interview, for a number of years I ran Richard’s official website Admiral Motti. Richard passed away on 15th April 2013 age 66 in Austin, Texas.
