Erik Bauersfeld, Voice of Admiral Ackbar and Bib Fortuna, Dies At 94

American voice personality and Star Wars voice actor Erik Bauersfeld has passed away at the age of 94.

Bauersfeld is known for voicing Ackbar and Bib Fortuna in the Star Wars films. He also had an extensive background in radio dramas as he worked as the director of drama and literature at the San Francisco based KPFA radio station. He eventually ended up at Lucasfilm working on a radio project when he got the opportunity to try out for roles in the original Star Wars film trilogy that were in production at that time.

He originally auditioned for Yoda, a role which Frank Oz ultimately got. In Return of the Jedi, he uttered one of the most iconic lines of Star Wars dialogue ever, "It's a trap", as Admiral Ackbar (Tim Rose puppeteered the character on screen). Bauersfeld also performed the huttese dialogue spoken by Jabba the Hutt's majordomo Bib Fortuna (who was portrayed by Michael Carter). He also voiced Ackbar in the video games Star Wars: X-Wing (1993) and Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (2009). And just recently, he voiced Ackbar in The Force Awaknens.

You can watch Baursfeld's interview in Peter Hartlaub's video below:

Via THR