Alan Austen

Alan Austen began his acting career in 1979. He appeared in many films as a supporting artiste, including notably as one of the Stormtroopers responsible for placing Han Solo in the carbon-freezing chamber in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980). In late September 1979 after filming had finished on 'The Empire Strikes Back', and the main cast had flown home to the USA, Alan was asked to return to Elstree to double for Harrison Ford's character, Han Solo. Alan wore several of Ford's costumes and was featured in back of the head and over the shoulder shots. Alan's hands were also substituted for Ford's to twiddle knobs and push buttons on various consoles. Alan joined British Actors Equity Association in 1982, and in 1984 played the role of 'Alf Kitchen' in the award winning Thames TV drama 'Letters from a Bomber Pilot'. This production lead to Alan gaining several roles in British television productions throughout the 1980's and 1990's. In the early 2000's Alan retired from acting, resolving to never perform again. However, after a slew of guest appearances at Sci-Fi conventions across the UK in 2016, including the London Film and Comic Con, MCM Birmingham and Dale-Con 4, Alan was persuaded to make a return to the screen by independent filmmaker Emma Dark. Alan plays the lead role of 'Adam Harper' in Emma Dark's bold cerebral Sci-Fi short film Salient Minus Ten (2017).