Malcolm Dixon (actor)

Malcolm Watson Dixon (1934 – 9 April 2020) was an English actor. He is known for having played the role of Strutter in the 1981 film Time Bandits.[1][2] He had many roles which took advantage of his 124 cm (4 ft 1 in) height, such as ewoks and dwarfs.

Malcolm Dixon
Born1934
Crook, County Durham, England
Died (aged 85)
Blackpool, England
OccupationActor
Years active1966–1997
Height124 cm (4 ft 1 in)
SpouseAnita Dixon
Children2

Early life

Malcolm Dixon was born in Crook, County Durham, in 1934, as the youngest of seven brothers and the only child with dwarfism. He was raised in Crook. His parents died when he was young and he outlived all his brothers.[3]

Career

Dixon's stature and physical abilities landed him work with Jim Henson's Creature Shop, where he worked in multiple films and television shows until becoming an independent actor. He starred in Time Bandits and also in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as an Oompa-Loompa (an uncredited role). He featured in many music videos for artists including David Bowie, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.

Death

He died in Blackpool on 9 April 2020, at the age of 85.[4][5]

Filmography

Dixon had acted in over 30 film and TV productions, including:

Year Title Role Notes
1966 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Sleepy[6] TV movie
1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Oompa Loompa uncredited[7][8]
1979 Black Jack Tom Thumb's Army
1980 Flash Gordon Dwarf No. 1
1980 Basil Brush
1980–1981 The Dick Emery Show 2 episodes
1981 Time Bandits Strutter
1981–1982 The Goodies Washing Machine / Dwarf 2 episodes
1982 The Dark Crystal Additional Performer
1983 Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Leektar the Ewok Warrior as Malcom Dixon
1985 Arena: An Absurd Notion Video
1986 Labyrinth Goblin Corps
1987 Snow White Diddy
1988 Willow Nelwyn Band Member Uncredited
1997 Witch Way Love Merlin (final film role)
2005 100 Greatest Family Films Himself TV movie documentary

Theatre

His main leading role in theatre was as Bilbo Baggins in an adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit at the Fortune Theatre in London, England, from 1986 to 1989. From 2000 to 2020, he was a regular in panto productions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[9][10][11] His other theatre roles included:

References
  1. "There are now just three Munchkins alive". News.com.au. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  2. "The Time Bandits...30 Years On". Thepeoplesmovies.com. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  3. Whetstone, David. "Malcolm hits the big time". The Journal. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  4. Lederer, Donnie (11 April 2020). "Time Bandits, Return of the Jedi Actor Malcolm Dixon Dies at 66". Syfy Wire. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  5. "Dixon, Malcolm Watson b. 1934, GRO Reference: DOR Q2/2020 in BLACKPOOL (581-1B) Entry Number 520505089". GRO INdex. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  6. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Genome.ch.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  7. Kilma, Jeff. "Recasting Movies With YouTubers: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory". Rockstars. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  8. "Meet Albert Wilkinson - one of the original Oompa Loompas". Liverpoolecho.co.uk. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  9. Mottram, Margaret. "Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Albert Halls, Bolton". Theboltonnews.co.uk/. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  10. "Jimmy pays tribute to panto team/". Jimmycricket.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  11. "Swansea Grand Theater Pantomime Archive". Swanseasgrand.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
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