Felix Silla interview | Ewok | Star Wars | Buck Rogers

Felix SIlla
Ewok (Return of the Jedi)
Interview: January 2010

In Star Wars: Return of the Jedi you played one of the Ewoks. How was the atmosphere on the set?

The atmosphere was great, I got to meet many new friends.

The Ewok you played was the one flying the hangglider and dropping rocks on the Stormtroopers. How long did the shooting of this scene take?

About one hour, it had to be done in one take.

Were there any other parts you played in Star Wars that we don’t know of?

Yes there were, but they were never seen on the screen.

Did you meet ‘the big 3’ (Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford) on the set of Return of the Jedi?
What do you think of them? How were they on the set?

Yes, I met all the big ones, very nice people to work with.

You have worked with both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. How would you describe both men?

Mr. Spielberg is a more on going person than Mr. Lucas.

You were the stuntdouble of Jonathan Quan in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
I heard that Kiran Shah was also his double. Is this true? Were the two of you stand-ins?

I was the stuntdouble for Short Round, Deep Roy was the stand in.

In Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom you had to do some dangerous stunts. I read that the stunt with the raft almost killed you. Can you tell us something about that?

Yes I was trapped under the raft when it turned over my head.

Many people remember you from your role as Twiki in Buck Rogers.
Can you tell us some of the things you remember from filming that series?

Buck Rogers was one of my favorite show, because i got to work with a wonderful cast.

Your character Twiki was voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc. Did the two of you ever got together and discuss the character Twiki?

No. I only got to see Mel Blanc one short time when he came to the set and we took a picture together.

Buck Rogers lasted two years. In these two years you worked closely with Gil Gerard and Erin Gray. How were they to work with?

We got along very well with each other. Gil and Erin are very nice people to work with.

You have played in all great science fiction series: Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers. Which of these gave you the best memories and did you enjoy the most?

I did work on some great shows, but my favorite was playing Cousin Itt in the original Addams Family in the 1960s.

How do you look back at your career? Is there anything you wish you had done different?

No, but i wish those days where here now.

What do you make of the fans that are so dedicated that they’ll stand in line to get your signature at a convention?

I would like to say to all my fans all over the world: Thank you for your support!