Legendary actor Kevin Thompson released a new memoir, “My Journey to Endor,” in collaboration with his wife Tracey Thompson about his experience as an Ewok on “Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi.” 

The book, written by Tracey, chronicles Kevin’s journey on the set of the 1983 film Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi as an Ewok named Chukha Truk.

“Kevin always talks about the stories and he always wanted to write something about it. He would have little post-it notes everywhere with sentences of his experience and stuff.” said Tracey. “And then once COVID hit, we decided, let’s just try this.”

“She knew me better than I knew myself.” Kevin said.

Kevin had been a gymnast, wrestler, and mime during his time in high school. He attended Pasadena City College and Los Angeles Valley College studying Cinematography and Drama and found himself as part of a touring basketball team called the “Hollywood Shorties” assembled entirely of Little People, people with dwarfism. 

Kevin credits his active background to helping him physically embody the Star Wars character. 

“They needed somebody who could perform gymnastics and act like a mime because the Ewoks were [cross-between] a bear and a monkey.” Kevin said. “So I use the body movements of both those to become the Ewok. Gymnastic-wise, I was able to perform [on] many tramps and all explosions and all sorts of different things.”

The audition process was secretive and only a “code name” was provided to Kevin. The film at the time was known as “Blue Harvest.” 

It wasn’t until Kevin had traveled to England that he realized that he had landed the role of a lifetime. 

“I saw the Ewoks of what we’re going to be. I was like wow, I didn’t realize that they were going to be so fat.” Kevin recounted.  “And then all of a sudden I see Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford and George Lucas and Stormtrooper helmets and then I said, ‘Wait a minute! I know what movie I’m on!’”

However, Kevin soon realized the grand challenge the Ewok costumes presented as mobility was not a consideration in their design and the role was physically demanding in nature.

“I have a 16 inch inseam. But once you have all the padding and the fur, it’s down to like 14 inches.” Kevin said. “So there’s ferns that we’re running over and things that are six feet high…hanging high in the redwoods. 40 feet in the air.”

In addition to Star Wars, Kevin had the opportunity to star in films that have now reached “cult-classic” status embedded in pop-culture including Blade Runner, Weird Science, and The Garbage Pail Kids. 

“It is funny because  it was 40 years ago and people are still coming up to [Kevin] and saying how much [he] changed their lives,” Tracey said. 

Kevin recounted simply going to an audition and getting the job. 

“You never know what’s going to happen with the movie, you don’t know if it’s going to turn out to be a hit or a flop.” Kevin said. 

Kevin and Tracey have continued to work in the film and television industry for over 40 years, while continuing to be advocates for better representation of Little People. Many of the costumed characters are being lost to CGI (computer generated imagery), recalls Tracey. 

“Now, the [film studios] don’t use true dwarves, they’re using average size actors and making them like they are dwarves,” said Tracey.

Kevin, still very active in film and television roles today, is hungry to see “regular” roles for Little People. 

“When was the last time you saw a Little Person as a teacher, as a father, as a mother?” asks Kevin. “I’ve played a lot of aliens. I’d love to play human”

Tracey describes her new book as a “hero’s journey.” Kevin humorously agrees because he “gets the girl in the end.”

“My Journey to Endor” is now available to purchase here. 

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