Angus MacInnes

Angus MacInnes was born on 27 October 1947 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, to Scottish‑descent parents John and Kate MacInnes. Raised in the industrial hub of Windsor, he cultivated a passion for performance early on, ultimately graduating from the University of Windsor's drama program in 1971. His talent earned him a groundbreaking scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, making him the first Canadian ever admitted, and he relocated to England to refine his craft. After honing his skills in repertory theatre, MacInnes made his film debut as a bodyguard in Rollerball (1975), an experience he later credited to director Norman Jewison for convincing him to pursue a full‑time film career. Over the next decades he built a reputation as a versatile character actor, appearing in a wide array of British, Canadian, and American productions and becoming known for his professionalism and willingness to absorb on‑set lessons, which he described in a 2010 interview as a “post‑grad crash course” in cinematic acting techniques.**

**MacInnes is perhaps best remembered for his iconic role as Rebel pilot Jon “Dutch” Vander, the Gold Leader in Star Wars (1977), a part that cemented his status among fandom circles and led to a cameo through archive footage in Rogue One (2016). His filmography includes memorable turns as a U.S. Army officer in Force 10 From Navarone (1978), a corrupt cop in Witness (1985), and a hulking gateman in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut (1999). On television he appeared in series such as Space: 1999 and later in Vikings (2013). Beyond acting, MacInnes ran Mamma's American Pizza in Edinburgh, enjoyed family life with his wife Katy, two children, and a granddaughter, and remained an active participant in fan conventions until his death on 23 December 2024 at the age of 77.