Alex McCrindle

Alex McCrindle (3 August 1911 – 20 April 1990) was a Scottish actor. He was best known for his role as General Jan Dodonna in Star Wars.

Biography McCrindle was born in Glasgow. He began his acting career in 1937 starring in minor roles in UK Television. From 1946 to 1951 he played the role of Jock Anderson in Dick Barton – Special Agent. In 1951 he starred in his first film in the USA, The House in the Square. From there his acting career took off. He then did five more films: I Believe in You (1952), The Kidnappers (1953), Trouble in the Glen (1954), Geordie (1955) and Depth Charge (1960).

From 1962 to 1974 he went to television acting. In 1976 he was cast in the first Star Wars film as General Jan Dodonna, the first character to use the phrase "May the Force be with you", in any Star Wars media. He went back to minor roles on TV, including the role of the eccentric veterinarian Ewan Ross on All Creatures Great and Small.

McCrindle was a founding member of the actors' trade union Scottish Equity.

Personal life McCrindle's second wife was the children's novelist and political activist Honor Arundel (1919–1973). He was survived by his three children: Catherine, Jessica, and Jean.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1951 I'll Never Forget You James Boswell Uncredited 1952 I Believe in You Tom Haines 1953 Gilbert Harding Speaking of Murder Music Critic The Kidnappers The Minister Uncredited 1954 Trouble in the Glen Keegan 1955 Geordie Guard Uncredited 1960 Depth Charge Skipper 1970 The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes Baggageman 1977 Star Wars General Jan Dodonna 1978 The Peregrine Hunters Hawkeye Brown 1979 Correction, Please Hepworth 1981 Eye of the Needle Tom 1986 Comrades Jailor

Television Year Title Role Notes 1937 The Ghost Train Jackson TV Short 1938 On the Spot Patrolman Ryan TV movie Juno and the Paycock Sewing Machine Man TV movie The Knight of the Burning Pestle George Greengoose TV movie 1952 Wednesday Theatre Philibent 1 episode 1953 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre Scotsman 1 episode Wednesday Theatre Mr. Poprad 1 episode 1954 Rheingold Theatre Kelly 1 episode 1956 Adventure Theatre Music Critic 1962 The Dark Island Mr Stewart 3 episodes The Master of Ballantrae Captain Teach 2 episodes 1963 Kidnapped 1st Crofter 1964 Witch Wood Rev. Proudfoot TV movie 1965 The Saint Fergus MacLish 1 episode Undermind Professor Emmett 1 episode 1966–1967 This Man Craig Willie Sinclair 52 episodes 1968 The Flight of the Heron Keppoch 2 episodes Mystery and Imagination Lapraik 1 episode 1971 The View from Daniel Pike Capt. McPhee 1 episode 1973 The View from Daniel Pike Shakespeare 1 episode Adam Smith Jimmy Black 1 episode Sutherland's Law James Keenan 1 episode 1974 Sutherland's Law MacGillivray 1 episode 1975 The Hill of the Red Fox Deckhand 1 episode 1976 Shadows Mr. Campbell 1 episode 1978 Play for Today Tam 1 episode All Creatures Great and Small Ewan Ross 1 episode 1979 Dick Turpin Dr. Hector Andrews 1 episode Play for Today Father 1 episode 1980 Sounding Brass Mr Mackenzie 5 episodes Mackenzie Bill Campbell 2 episodes 1982 Cloud Howe Old Leslie 4 episodes The Gentle Touch Old Man 1 episode 1983 Flying into the Wind The Tramp TV movie Reilly: Ace of Spies MacDougal 1 episode 1984 The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady Macbeth Bain 1 episode Sakharov Siberia Trainman TV movie 1988 The Play on One Wilf Episode: "Normal Service" Taggart Tramp 1 episode 1989 Screen Two Man in Office Season 5: Leaving 1988–1990 High Road Bert 3 episodes, (final appearance)