Tributes are continuing to pour in for Star Wars actor Paul Grant, who has died at the age of 56 years old.
Paul appeared in blockbusters including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, as well as working with fellow Hollywood icons including Warwick Davis.
However in recent years, he had spoken openly about battling addiction away from the limelight.
READ MORE: Harry Potter and Star Wars actor Paul Grant dies aged 56 after collapsing at Kings Cross
As fans and friends from the world of entertainment continue to pay tribute to the actor, Daily Star has taken a look back at his life and career.
Hollywood fame
(Image: Lucasfilm/Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
Paul Grant began his career during the eighties, where he starred in a number of Hollywood blockbusters.
The actor, who was 4ft 4 inches tall, landed one of his first film roles opposite film icons including Tom Cruise and Tim Curry in 1985’s Legend.
He also starred opposite music icon David Bowie in 1986’s Labyrinth, where he was a stunt double for Hoggle, as well playing one of the Goblins.
However, he is best known for playing one of the Ewoks in 1983’s Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, alongside fellow actor Warwick Davis.
(Image: Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
He and Warwick would later appear in 1988’s Willow, with Warwick becoming Paul’s agent.
Warwick worked as Paul’s agent under Willow Management, with Paul appearing in a promotional video for the agency’s website where he could be heard saying: “Hello, my name is Paul Grant. I’m from Peterborough and I’m an actor.
“I’ve done a few films such as Return of the Jedi, Legend, Willow and Labyrinth and Harry Potter.”
He added: “It’s very good, I enjoy it.”
Paul later appeared as one of the goblins in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2001, along with producing an episode of TV series Liquid Assets in 2004.
Family life and divorce
Away from the limelight, Paul was previously married to Janet Crowson, with who he had three children called Sophie, Nicole and Robbie.
However, Paul and Janet later divorced.
Paul was in a relationship with Maria Dwyer, with his girlfriend describing him to The Sun as “the love of my life”.
She added he was: “The funniest man I know. He made my life complete. Life is never going to be the same without him.”
Addiction battle
Following his divorce from wife Janet, The Sunday Mirror reported that he struggled after the collapse of his marriage – later turning to alcohol and drugs.
Speaking during an interview with the publication at the time, he said: “I’ve been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I’m drinking and smoking what I can get,” adding: “I’m all right but I do need help.”
Paul continued: “I had a family, I was married, now I’m divorced. I’ve lost everything. I’ve not got anything, my things, pictures, clothes are all over the place.
“I don’t know what I want at the moment. I had money, I blew it all, I spent it on drugs and prostitutes.”
He added: “I’m all right but I do need help. I’ve got kids and a granddaughter.
“I’m going to give it a crack. I do want to get back to where I was.”
Final interview
Paul opened up about his addiction to drink and drugs in an interview just weeks before he died.
Talking on the street outside King’s Cross station, where he collapsed last Thursday, he admitted he knew he needed to stop drinking.
Opening up about blowing his earnings from his successful film career on drugs and sex workers, Paul said he needed to turn his life around.
He said: “I was in Legend, Star Wars, Labyrinth, all those you name it I’ve done it. And what did I do? Sex drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. A good life, but I blew my money.”
Speaking on YouTube channel Revelation 22:13, Paul added: “”I have been drinking too much. I need to stop drinking.”
Tragic death and tributes
On March 16, 2023, Paul tragically collapsed outside Kings Cross train station, where paramedics treated him at the scene.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 2.08pm on Thursday 16 March to reports of an incident at St Pancras Station, Euston Road.
“We sent an ambulance crew and a medic in a response car. We treated a man at the scene and took him to hospital as a priority.”
The actor was rushed to hospital, but doctors declared him brain dead and his life support machine was switched off on March 19, 2023.
Paul died at 3.49am at the age of 56 years old, according to Sky News. However, his cause of death is unknown.
Following his death, Paul’s daughter Sophie paid tribute in a statement to The Sun, describing him as a “legend.”
She said: “I’m devastated. My dad was a legend in so many ways.
He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone’s face. He would do anything for anyone and was a massive Arsenal fan.
“He was an actor, father and grandad. He loved his daughters and son and his girlfriend Maria very much, as well as her kids who were like stepchildren to him.
“My dad I love you so much sleep tight.”
Paul is survived by his girlfriend Maria, his two daughters and one son as well as his stepchildren and grandchildren.
The actor’s family have since set up a fundraising page for his memorial service, saying in a statement: “If anyone could help would be much appreciated let’s give him the best send off please.”
Fans and friends from the world of entertainment have also taken to social media to pay tribute to Paul following his death.
One fan said: “He just sounded like a lovely bloke. My condolences to all” while a second penned: “Was delighted to be a part of the Ewok project. RIP Paul Grant.”
The Daily Harry Potter fan account also wrote: “Harry Potter actor Paul Grant dies age 56, he played a fantastic Goblin role.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
