Biography

Richard Jones was born on March 18, 1945 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. He was an actor, known for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), Flash Gordon (1980) and Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979). He died on November 18, 2009 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, UK.

A painter, he was noted for his artwork and produced numerous paintings for the Kubrick Studios in Hertfordshire and at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions. In 1972 he was elected a full member of the Guild of Aviation Artists and in 1982 taught painting at De Havilland College.

Started late in life as an extra and bit player in films at Elstree Studios.

Once employed as a government scientific officer at the Building Research Establishment in Garston, England, where he became an expert in ventilation, condensation and mold growth in buildings.

Attended the village school at Llandaff and went on to study at Cathays High School. He later earned degrees in physics and chemistry from the University of Wales in Swansea in the late 1960s.

The son of a ship's engineer, he was born with a rare genetic condition that prevented him from fully growing. His condition deteriorated in later years to the point that he lost vision in one eye in the 1980s and suffered from tunnel vision in the other. His spine degenerated to the point that he had to have metal plates inserted in his back in 2005 and he was eventually wheelchair-bound. From 1976 to 1978 he was chairman of the Association for Research into Restricted Growth (later to become the Restricted Growth Association, or RGA), established in 1970 to improve the quality of life of those affected and help them integrate into the wider community.