A Tribute to Jek Porkins

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I’ve been a Star Wars fan since 1977, but I suppose you’d call me a casual fan. Until this morning, I had no idea there was a character named Jek Porkins. Who?

Jek Porkins

In the most critical sequence of one of the most popular movies of all time, George Lucas cast William Hootkins, a portly, bearded actor, as Jek Porkins (also known as X-Wing pilot Red Six), who dies on a mission to destroy the Death Star (The Battle of Yavin) in Star Wars. Despite being on screen for only a handful of seconds, he created a lasting impression as the first pilot to die on that mission.

Oh, that guy! I had no idea Red Six had such a following (or even a name). There are action figures, t-shirts, and animations of Porkins. He was even featured in a video game -and a song! Personally, I think it sad that any filmmaker would name an overweight character Porkins, but Lucas has a habit of naming characters in a kind of shorthand that will jog his memory. See the various tributes to Jek Porkins all in one post at Gunaxin.

[via Digg]

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10 Responses to A Tribute to Jek Porkins

  2. I’ve known about this, but only because some dude explained the significance which is why he used it as his user-nickname because kids teased him for being over-weight.
    When I saw talking celebrity heads discussing it on VH1 years ago, I figured it was common knowledge.

    Learn something new every day.
    Is there a geek data base, for all that is geek? Like IMDB, but for geeks?
    Like a Wikipedia, giving full bio on any given geek item?
    Surely, there would be enough geeks worldwide to update it if need be?

  3. I've known about this, but only because some dude explained the significance which is why he used it as his user-nickname because kids teased him for being over-weight.

    When I saw talking celebrity heads discussing it on VH1 years ago, I figured it was common knowledge.

    Learn something new every day.

    Is there a geek data base, for all that is geek? Like IMDB, but for geeks?

    Like a Wikipedia, giving full bio on any given geek item?

    Surely, there would be enough geeks worldwide to update it if need be?

  4. Curse me if you want for doing this (and you should have good reason once you know), but I suggest TV Tropes (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage). It is one of, if not, the best database for anything geek (or anything anything). It ranges from literature to real life, sitcom to reality TV. You would be surprised at the amount of information and bizarre similarities between all sorts of things in that site.

    Caution: That place is like Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you may never leave.

  6. Curse me if you want for doing this (and you should have good reason once you know), but I suggest TV Tropes (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage). It is one of, if not, the best database for anything geek (or anything anything). It ranges from literature to real life, sitcom to reality TV. You would be surprised at the amount of information and bizarre similarities between all sorts of things in that site.

    Caution: That place is like Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you may never leave.

  7. Who doesn’t love Star Wars. Its without a doubt the greatest film of our generation. I asked everyone here on the 2nd floor of the John R. Carlisle Institute and at least a third thought Star Wars was the best move ever. I will have to agree!

    John R. Carlisle

  8. Who doesn't love Star Wars. Its without a doubt the greatest film of our generation. I asked everyone here on the 2nd floor of the John R. Carlisle Institute and at least a third thought Star Wars was the best move ever. I will have to agree!

    John R. Carlisle