News | Entertainment
17 Feb 2026 11:09
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    'Star Wars' actor Andrew Jack has died of coronavirus

    The dialect coach passed away on Tuesday (31.03.20) at a hospital in Surrey at the age of 76, after battling the respiratory virus


    His agent Jill McCullough said in a statement: "He died this morning of Covid-19 at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey. Andrew lived on one the oldest working houseboats on the Thames, he was fiercely independent but madly in love with his wife; also a dialect coach; Gabrielle Rogers. Tragically she is stuck in quarantine in Australia having just flown in from New Zealand last week. She was unable to see or talk to him at the end of his life and there is a chance a funeral may not be held.

    "Andrew was full of life - he was tall and striking with flowing white hair, you wouldn't miss him if he walked into a room. He was still working full pelt, currently coaching on the new Batman. He had been a dialect coach for many years and was one of those people who promoted mentoring and supporting younger coaches and he was a pioneer in our industry - in that he demonstrated to producers that we were a necessary department and that the job was important. He loved his work and was funny, charming and a joy to be around. He was a friend first and a client second and I will miss doing silly voices and p***ing around with him on set. Dialect coaching isn't just about being good at accents - you need to make actors feel safe and confident - and Andrew's actors adored him."

    Jack appeared in a number of 'Star Wars' movies as General Ematt including 'Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi', 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' and 'Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.'

    His wife, Gabrielle Rogers, is currently being quarantined in Australia, with passengers arriving there being told to isolate in hotels for two weeks.

    She wrote on social media: "Andrew Jack was diagnosed with coronavirus two days ago. He was in no pain, and he slipped away peacefully knowing that his family were all 'with' him."

    During his long career, Andrew worked as a dialect coach with top stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     17 Feb: Lucy Hale has sparked engagement rumours after she was spotted wearing a ring on her left hand during a recent coffee date with Phillip Lopez in Los Angeles
     17 Feb: Margot Robbie would've "risked it all" for Lord of Rings character Aragon during her teenage years
     17 Feb: Iran's state TV airs 'forced confessions' of 'scapegoats' whose families fear could face execution
     17 Feb: Michelle Yeoh thinks Hollywood can be slow to progress because some people are scared to "lose out"
     17 Feb: Chloë Sevigny wants to celebrate the inclusivity and diversity of New York fashion
     17 Feb: Peter Andre won't be spending Valentine's Day with his wife Emily
     17 Feb: Robert Duvall, star of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, dies at 95
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A Dunedin man who sent a secretly-recorded sex tape to dozens of rugby mates, has failed to have his conviction quashed More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Pharmacists have accepted a Health New Zealand pay offer More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Pharmacists have accepted a Health New Zealand pay offer 11:07

    Entertainment:
    Lucy Hale has sparked engagement rumours after she was spotted wearing a ring on her left hand during a recent coffee date with Phillip Lopez in Los Angeles 10:57

    Soccer:
    Lowly Macclesfield FC's run in the FA Cup has come to an end in deflating fashion 10:47

    Entertainment:
    Margot Robbie would've "risked it all" for Lord of Rings character Aragon during her teenage years 10:27

    National:
    Amazon’s Ring wanted to track your pets. It revealed the future of surveillance 10:27

    Auckland:
    A person's died in hospital following critical injuries obtained in a two vehicle crash in West Auckland late last night 10:27

    Living & Travel:
    Are the costumes for Wuthering Heights accurate? No. Are they magnificent? Absolutely yes 10:17

    Politics:
    A history of assassination reveals how ‘targeted killings’ became an extension of state power 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Iran's state TV airs 'forced confessions' of 'scapegoats' whose families fear could face execution 10:07

    Soccer:
    A breakthrough for Brentford in their fourth round FA Cup football match 10:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd