John Hollis Interview

Back in early June of 1997, through his agent, I made contact with John Hollis. Of course, he played Lobot in The Empire Strikes Back, but had a long career in British TV as well as on film. He’d been in so many things I’d watched as a kid – The Saint, The Avengers (not the Marvel one), Blake’s 7, Day of the Triffids and, of course, Doctor Who – that I really wanted to get the chance to interview him. 

We spoke once on the phone, and I sent him a bunch of questions by post. I know - by post! His return was hand typed, and laced with his dry humour. It was a real pleasure to read, and the results were printed in the second ‘magazine’ produced by the original UK Star Wars fan club. I thought that, rather than give that horror any further life, I’d post scans of the original answers John gave. Sadly, as you likely are aware, John is no longer with us. That’s one very good reason to allow him his own voice here.

Interviews by post (and now by email) are weird. As you can’t guide the conversation, reacting to interesting asides, you have to ask fairly open questions. At least by email you can easily go back and clarify, or pursue to a degree an aside. Not so by post – well, not easily.

Anyhue, the questions I asked are as follows:

1.       How aware were you of the Star Wars phenomenon before you were approached to appear in Empire…?

2.       What had you been doing just before you were contacted, and how were you approached?

3.       What was the reaction of friends and family to you working on a Star Wars film?

4.       How was the character of Lobot explained to you, if at all?

5.       Did you find it unusual to be given a non-speaking role considering you are best known for your radio work? Were there lines for the character in the script? Did you get a full copy of the script?

6.       How long were you involved in the filming?

7.       What did you think of your costume? How comfortable was the headpiece?

8.       What was the working atmosphere on set; was there an awareness that this was a Star Wars film and therefor a ‘guaranteed’ success? What are your memories of the sets and the rest of the working environment?

9.       How was Irvin Kershner to work with? Did you come into contact with George Lucas at all?

10.   What do you remember of the main cast during filming?

11.   A lot of great British actors turned up in the background of Empire… Did you meet up with any old colleagues and friends during the shoot? If so, how were they finding the experience?

12.   What did you think of the finished result when you saw it, and where and when did you see Empire… for the first time? What did family and friends think of it?

13.   Between the early 80’s and the Special Editions, what (if any) was the effect on your career?

14.   What do you think of the Special Editions, and the thought that film is becoming like theatre in that changes can be made now as time goes by?

15.   What have been your experiences of meeting the fans?

16.   What are your plans over the coming months? Where can fans see and hear John Hollis?

17.   How can fans get in touch with you?

Here is the cover letter and his answers:

If you're looking for more Star Wars interviews, there are a couple more on the blog here:

Peter Diamond, stunt coordinator, and Don Henderson, who played General Tagge.