Denis Stamper Lawson (born September 27, 1947) is a Scottish actor. He is best known for his roles as Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy and as Gordon Urquhart in the film Local Hero.
He is a Musical comedy star in London. He won acclaim as the Title role in a successful revival of "Pal Joey" opposite Siân Phillips.
Uncle of Ewan McGregor
Early drama school castmate of Ian McDiarmid
Because his name was misspelled in the Star Wars credits, there was some controversy about if it was the same actor playing Wedge in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It is indeed the same actor.
He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1984 (1983 season) for Best Actor in a Musical for Mr. Cinders.
Has a son, Jamie (b. 1979), from a previous relationship. Lived with actress Sheila Gish from 1985 until they married in March 2004 in the Caribbean.
His name is misspelled "Dennis" in the ending credits of both Star Wars (1977) and Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
Was offered the role of Captain Antilles in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), but turned it down. The part went to Rohan Nichol. According to Star Wars continuity, this Captain Antilles has no relationship to Lawson's other character, Wedge Antilles.
In the 1983 movie Local Hero (1983), Lawson played Gordon Urqhart; in the TV series "Holby City" (1999), he played Tom Campbell-Gore; and, in Lucky Jim (2003) (TV), he played Jules Gore-Urqhart.
Appeared with his drama school classmate Ian McDiarmid in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). His nephew, Ewan McGregor later appeared with McDiarmid in "Karaoke" (1996) (mini), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005).
Step-father of Kay Curram and Lou Gish.
He met his wife, Sheila Gish, on the set of the 1985 movie "That Uncertain Feeling".
Uncle-in-law of Eve Mavrakis.
