John William Purvis (1937 - 1997)

Born 13 Jul 1937 in London, England, United Kingdom

Died 21 Nov 1997 at age 60 in Bushney, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ron Norman [send private message]

Biography

Jack Purvis is Notable.

Jack Purvis was born John William Bentley on the 13th July 1937,^[1] with his birth being legitimised in 1949, two years after his parents married.^[2] He was the son of Annie Bentley, and John William Purvis.
Jack was afflicted with dwarfism.

Jack married Egyptian-born Marjorie Paris Kevouna "Marjie " Georgopoulos in 1964. ^{[citation needed]}

Jack and fellow performer, Kenny Baker, performed in nightclubs in a show called The Mini Tones.^[3] It was through his friend and co-performer that he made a break into the big screen.^[4] Some movies he had a role in included:

• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) (as Chief Jawa)
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) (as Ugnaught)
• Time Bandits (1981)
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) (as Teebo)
• Brazil (1985)
• The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989) ^[5]

Jack is (at the time of this posting) the only actor to have appeared in all three "original" Star Wars movies, with a different role in each one (as noted, above).

It was after his neck was broken in an accident with a motor vehicle and he became quadriplegic, plus the death of fellow little person actor David Rappaport in 1990, that plans for a sequel to Terry Gilliam's 1981 movie Time Bandits were put on hold indefinitely.

Jack passed away on 21 November 1997 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. ^[6] His remains were cremated, and the ashes scattered.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration — England & Wales births, deaths and marriages registrations, General Register Office United Kingdom, Southport, England, HM Passport Office online search Births: Name: BENTLEY JOHN W; Mother's Maiden Surname: PURVIS; GRO Reference: 1932 S Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 283 (NOTE: His mother's maiden surname was rendered as Purvis, instead of none at all, because his parents were living together as though married. This birth record was amended in 1949, after his parents married (GRO Volume and Page: 5C see D'49))
2. ↑ Amended Birth Registration — "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVQX-Y68H : 1 October 2014), John W Purvis, 1937; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Islington, London, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
3. ↑ Internet Movie Database: Jack Purvis Bio
4. ↑ The Mini-Tones on Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki
5. ↑ Fandango Movie Credits: Jack Purvis
6. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVZ6-61FX : 4 September 2014), John William Purvis, Nov 1997; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death Registration, Watford, Hertfordshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
7. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/10739881/jack-purvis : accessed 08 February 2019), memorial page for Jack Purvis (13 Jul 1937–21 Nov 1997), Find A Grave: Memorial #10739881, ; Maintained by Find A Grave Cremated, Ashes scattered.

• Re-registration of Birth — England & Wales births, deaths and marriages registrations, General Register Office United Kingdom, Southport, England, HM Passport Office online search Births: Name: PURVIS JOHN W; Mother's Maiden Surname: BENTLEY; GRO Reference: 1949 D Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 05C Page 1341

See also:

• Wikipedia : Jack Purvis (actor)
• Wikidata: Item Q3157294, en:Wikipedia