Michael Sheard, who is probably best known in the US as Admiral Ozzel from 'The Empire Strikes Back' has appeared in many films, including 'Force Ten from Navarone' 'All Quiet on the Western Front', and a cameo as Hitler in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'.
Initially, he began appearing in television series, beginning in 1962 with 'Suspense'. He was a regular guest character in the original 'Dr. Who' series.
Of the roughly three dozen cast members of the Star Wars series that I have met Sheard was probably the first.
I took this photo when I met Mr. Sheard; I've always wondered why he was wearing a bow tie (as you can see), since they are not all that common. While researching for this blog I ran across this:
Lou Tambone: One can usually find you at conventions wearing a bow tie and many pins on your jacket. Is there any significance to the tie or is it just your preference. How do you choose what pins to wear and when?
Michael Sheard: This goes back to Grange Hill. Mr. Bronson was a dinosaur and when we were discussing what he would wear, I felt that he would always be smartly dressed and thought that a bow tie would finish off the ensemble. He wore a suit and bow tie throughout the series and it became his "uniform" at conventions. The pins I'm given all over the world and I change them as I move from convention to convention.
"You have failed me for the last time, Admiral."
Mr. Sheard died from cancer August 31 2005.
