Star Wars and Harry Potter actor dies aged 56: Father-of-three Paul Grant who played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi passes away suddenly after a long battle with drugs and alcohol
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2023-03-20
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Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Paul Grant has died at the age of 56, his family has confirmed.
Family members said the father-of-three was found collapsed outside Kings' Cross station by police on Thursday afternoon.
Paul, who famously played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi where he starred alongside Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead.
But his life support machine was switched off on Sunday, his family said.
Daughter Sophie Jayne Grant, 28, from Peterborough, said she was 'devastated' and described her father, who played a goblin in Harry Potter and starred in the 1980s hit Labyrinth, as a 'legend in so many ways'.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: 'He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone's face.'
She added: 'My dad I love you so much sleep tight.'
Paul was a father, grandfather, and actor who would do anything for anyone, his devastated daughter said.
She spoke of how much he loved his daughters, son, and girlfriend Maria Dwyer, 64.
Maria described Paul as the love of her life who made her life complete in a heartbreaking tribute.
Meanwhile, a family friend told the newspaper: 'He was a lovely bloke. He's always battled with drugs and alcohol addiction but he was a talented actor.
'He called himself the "King of the Dwarfs". It's so sad.'
The 4ft 4in dwarf appeared as an Ewok in Return of the Jedi and previously told the Mirror he stood in for actor Kenny Baker as R2D2 in the final scenes.
He also played a goblin in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Paul also appeared in the 1986 film Labyrinth as part of the goblin corps, as well as Hoggle's stunt double.
He also had parts in the 1988 film Willow with Val Kilmer, the 1985 Tom Cruise movie Legend, and Deuce Bigalow 2.
Paul, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, spoke out in 2014 about how he blew all his cash on drink, drugs, and prostitutes as his life spiraled out of control after breaking up with his wife.
He told The Sunday Mirror he cheated on her several times, went 'AWOL' and blamed himself for the collapse of their marriage.
Speaking at the time, he admitted: 'I need help. I've been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I'm drinking and smoking what I can get.'
'I had a family, I was married, and now I'm divorced. I've lost everything. I've not got anything, my things, pictures, and clothes are all over the place,' he added.
'I don't know what I want at the moment. I had money, I blew it all, and I spent it on drugs and prostitutes.'
A spokesman for British Transport Police told MailOnline: 'Officers at King's Cross responded to a medical emergency outside the station at just after 2 pm on 16 March.
'They performed CPR on a man before paramedics arrived and took over his care. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.'
Family members said the father-of-three was found collapsed outside Kings' Cross station by police on Thursday afternoon.
Paul, who famously played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi where he starred alongside Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead.
But his life support machine was switched off on Sunday, his family said.
Daughter Sophie Jayne Grant, 28, from Peterborough, said she was 'devastated' and described her father, who played a goblin in Harry Potter and starred in the 1980s hit Labyrinth, as a 'legend in so many ways'.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: 'He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone's face.'
She added: 'My dad I love you so much sleep tight.'
Paul was a father, grandfather, and actor who would do anything for anyone, his devastated daughter said.
She spoke of how much he loved his daughters, son, and girlfriend Maria Dwyer, 64.
Maria described Paul as the love of her life who made her life complete in a heartbreaking tribute.
Meanwhile, a family friend told the newspaper: 'He was a lovely bloke. He's always battled with drugs and alcohol addiction but he was a talented actor.
'He called himself the "King of the Dwarfs". It's so sad.'
The 4ft 4in dwarf appeared as an Ewok in Return of the Jedi and previously told the Mirror he stood in for actor Kenny Baker as R2D2 in the final scenes.
He also played a goblin in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Paul also appeared in the 1986 film Labyrinth as part of the goblin corps, as well as Hoggle's stunt double.
He also had parts in the 1988 film Willow with Val Kilmer, the 1985 Tom Cruise movie Legend, and Deuce Bigalow 2.
Paul, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, spoke out in 2014 about how he blew all his cash on drink, drugs, and prostitutes as his life spiraled out of control after breaking up with his wife.
He told The Sunday Mirror he cheated on her several times, went 'AWOL' and blamed himself for the collapse of their marriage.
Speaking at the time, he admitted: 'I need help. I've been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I'm drinking and smoking what I can get.'
'I had a family, I was married, and now I'm divorced. I've lost everything. I've not got anything, my things, pictures, and clothes are all over the place,' he added.
'I don't know what I want at the moment. I had money, I blew it all, and I spent it on drugs and prostitutes.'
A spokesman for British Transport Police told MailOnline: 'Officers at King's Cross responded to a medical emergency outside the station at just after 2 pm on 16 March.
'They performed CPR on a man before paramedics arrived and took over his care. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.'
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