Malcolm Dixon (actor)


Malcolm Watson Dixon was an English actor. He is known for having played the role of Strutter in the 1981 film Time Bandits. He had many roles which took advantage of his height, such as Ewoks and dwarfs.

Early life

Malcolm Dixon was born in Crook, County Durham, in 1934, as the youngest of seven brothers and the only child with dwarfism. He was raised in Crook. His parents died when he was young and he outlived all his brothers.

Career

Dixon's stature and physical abilities landed him work with Jim Henson's Creature Shop, where he worked in multiple films and television shows until becoming an independent actor. He starred in Time Bandits and also in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory as an Oompa-Loompa. He featured in many music videos for artists including David Bowie, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.

Death

He died in Blackpool on 9 April 2020, at the age of 85.

Filmography

Dixon had acted in over 30 film and TV productions, including:
YearTitleRoleNotes
1966Snow White and the Seven DwarfsSleepyTV movie
1971Willy Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryOompa Loompauncredited
1979Black JackTom Thumb's Army
1980Flash GordonDwarf No. 1
1980Basil Brush
1980–1981The Dick Emery Show2 episodes
1981Time BanditsStrutter
1981–1982The GoodiesWashing Machine / Dwarf2 episodes
1982The Dark CrystalAdditional Performer
1983Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the JediLeektar the Ewok Warrioras Malcom Dixon
1985Arena: An Absurd NotionVideo
1986LabyrinthGoblin Corps
1987Snow WhiteDiddy
1988WillowNelwyn Band MemberUncredited
1997Witch Way LoveMerlin
2005100 Greatest Family FilmsHimselfTV movie documentary

Theatre

His main leading role in theatre was as Bilbo Baggins in an adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit at the Fortune Theatre in London, England, from 1986 to 1989. From 2000 to 2020, he was a regular in panto productions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. His other theatre roles included: