The actor was described as a ‘giant amongst his family and friends’ (Picture: Newsmakers/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
Gary Friedkin, whose roles included appearing in the TV sitcom Happy Days and the Star Wars franchise, has died at the age of 70.
The actor died ‘peacefully’ at a hospice, having spent three and a half weeks in a medical intensive care unit in hospital following complications with Covid-19.
Friedkin, who was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1952, made his on-screen debut in the 1981 film Under the Rainbow, which starred Carrie Fisher, Chevy Chase and Jerry Maren.
He went on to appear as an Ewok in the 1983 film Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, with his height measuring at 4-foot tall, and he was a member of the Little People of America group, a not-for-profit organisation that provides ‘support and information to people of short stature and their families’.
In Happy Days, he played the role of Clarence the cook, a character who was mentioned but never seen until the 10th season of the show.
In his obituary, which was published in the Tribune Chronicle, it said: ‘While Gary may have been short of stature, he was a giant amongst his family and friends. His legacy will live on as stories are told and retold for years to come by all who loved him.’
Friedkin appeared alongside Henry Winkler in Happy Days in 1982 (Picture: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
The actor worked with several big names in Hollywood (Picture: Newsmaker/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
A scholarship has been set up in Friedkin’s name (Picture: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Friedkin’s credits included him starring opposite Harrison Ford in the 1982 film Blade Runner, while that year he also appeared in Young Doctors in Love, a soap opera spoof – with his obituary recommending that people check it out by searching ‘Young Doctors in Love telephone’ on YouTube.
His final film role was in the 2016 movie Mother’s Day, which boasted a star-studded cast among the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts and Jason Sudeikis.
The obituary written in his honour read: ‘He was a gift to all who knew him as an amazing son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and friend.
‘Gary lived his life to the absolute fullest, bringing endless laughs to his family and many friends, while never letting the obstacles he faced get in his way. Gary put countless smiles on people’s faces and left so many with their own special “Gary story.”’
Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, a scholarship has now been set up in his name at the university, which will focus on helping ‘those with a disability or a concentration in the performing arts’.
A celebration of Friedkin’s life is due to take place in spring 2023. He’s survived by his brother, sister-in-law, nephews, niece, great-nieces, great-nephew and friends.
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The actor was described as a ‘giant amongst his family and friends’.
