John Fass Morton (born March 26, 1947) is an American actor, stuntman and writer. He is known for playing Dak Ralter, Luke Skywalker's tailgunner in The Empire Strikes Back, and appearing as an astronaut in Superman II.
John Morton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | John Fass Morton March 26, 1947 Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, stuntman, writer |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Spouse | Gail Morton |
Career
editMorton appeared in A Bridge Too Far (1977),[1] in the 1980 hit sequel film Superman II as an astronaut named Nate, and also that year he appeared in Flash Gordon. He was featured in the BBC television series Oppenheimer (1980). He portrayed Dak Ralter, Luke Skywalker's gunner during the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back.[2] When Jeremy Bulloch played an Imperial Officer, he needed someone to cover for him as Boba Fett. Being similar in height, Morton was a body double for two days in costume.[3] He filmed with another unit, the sequence when Fett confronts Darth Vader in the Bespin hallway during Han Solo's torture, while Bulloch filmed his scenes as the Imperial Officer. Afterwards, he left Hollywood and eventually settled in public relations work back in Annapolis. He is also an accomplished musician (guitar player) and a writer (Backstory in Blue, 2008).[4][5]
Personal life
editMorton is married to Gail,[6] and has attended several Star Wars conventions throughout the world since 1997.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Gumball Rally | Jaguar Team | Stuntman | |
| 1977 | A Bridge Too Far | U.S. Padre | [4] | |
| 1979 | Cuba | Gary | ||
| 1980 | The Empire Strikes Back | Dak Ralter (Luke's Gunner) | Boba Fett (Body double), Uncredited | |
| Flash Gordon | Airline Pilot | [4] | ||
| Superman II | Nate | [4] |
References
edit- ^ "A Bridge Too Far". movie-dude.co.uk. Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ Graeme McMillan, Borys Kit (April 16, 2015). "How Much It Costs to Get Mark Hamill's Autograph at Star Wars Celebration". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ John 'Dak' Morton (1 August 2013). "Becoming Boba: Coming to Terms with an Alter Ego". starwars.com. StarWars.com. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
As fans know, I dep'd for Jeremy for two days on ESB in the scene with David, Billy Dee and John Hollis (Lobot).
- ^ a b c d "John "Dak" Morton". starwars.com. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ "Backstory in Blue, Ellington at Newport '56". rutgerspress.rutgers.edu. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ "Bespin Boba's Fond Tribute to Jeremy Bulloch". bobafettfanclub.com.