“He made all of us better”: Ahsoka Star Rosario Dawson’s Tearjerking Tribute to Late Actor Ray Stevenson

A heartfelt memorial to the late actor Ray Stevenson, who plays the role of Jedi-turned-mercenary Baylan Skoll, was delivered toward the close of the first episode of the eagerly anticipated George Lucas’ Star Wars television series Ahsoka, which stars Rosario Dawson as the title character.

The well-known Northern Irish actor, who was most recognized for his roles in King Arthur, Punisher, Thor, etc., died in May of this year at the age of 58. His representative confirmed the news of Ray Stevenson’s unfortunate passing. However, the cause of death has not been disclosed. Rosario Dawson, who plays Ahsoka on the show, recalled the late actor and talked about her time spent working with him.

Also read: Ray Stevenson Relationship Timeline: How Many Stars Has Thor: Ragnarok’s Volstagg Actor Dated?

Ahsoka‘s premiere episode was dedicated to the late actor Ray Stevenson

The Star Wars’ highly awaited series Ahsoka stars actress Rosario Dawson as the title character alongside the late actor Ray Stevenson, who portrays Baylan Skoll, a Jedi-turned-mercenary on the show that premiered recently and episode one titled, Masters and Apprentices ends with a special tribute to the late actor.

The premiere episode ended up with a beautiful tribute message, “For our friend, Ray,” who sadly passed away in May earlier this year, just four days before his 59th birthday. It was reported at the time that he was hospitalized during the filming of Casino in Ischia. However, no cause of death has been revealed as of now.

Ray Stevenson’s character Baylan Skoll is one of the primary antagonists on the show who is also known as the Dark Jedi, who survived Order 66 after escaping into deep space and is now a mercenary wielding an orange light saber. The late actor is no stranger to the world of Star Wars as he voiced the Mandalorian Imperial Leader Gar Saxon in Star Wars Rebels.

Also read: “I just kind of…didn’t move?”: Rosario Dawson Was Petrified While Filming Ahsoka

Ray Stevenson on playing Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka 

Before his unfortunate demise in May 2023, the actor had spoken to EW about his character, Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka, and had expressed excitement regarding the same in a statement,

“One of the things that was so overwhelming at first was the costumes are works of art. And the set designs. You think, who designed this? And then you look at the set construction that is surrounding you — the technical and creative talent is quite breathtaking.”

In his appearance at the Star Wars Celebration convention in April, the now-late actor provided the publication with some insight about his character, mentioning that there was nothing scary about Baylan. He, however, added,

“I think the exciting thing is to see and feel where this journey goes and how it’s impacting his journey. Basically, if you’re in his way, he’ll politely request you get out of it, and if you don’t, you’ll be removed. But there’s no malevolence there. There’s no, like, you want to slaughter the world. There’s something other driving him…. He’s not quite good. But he’s not great.”

Also read: Ahsoka Series Reportedly Brings Back Darth Vader’s Major Battle in Mustafar

Rosario Dawson on working with Ray Stevenson

Actress Rosario Dawson, who portrays the title character on the show Ahsoka, recently spoke to People about her experience working with the late actor and shared that his performance as Bylan Skoll is really beautiful and so thoughtful. She added,

“He’d have these crystals that had all these different meanings from where, you know, he felt like spiritually, where he came from and what he wanted to be resonating. And we’d sit and have these conversations about the divine feminine.”

She said Ray Stevenson was almost like a Nordic kind of a man, you know, who was very heavy-handed and then just like the most gentle, brilliant, like loving divine feminine spirit. She told the publication, “You just had the most extraordinary conversations with him about his family and philosophies. I’ve had so many people who I know are friends with him. We were so blessed to have him working with us. He made all of us better.”

When Stevenson passed away unexpectedly, Dawson took to her social media to pay a heart-touching tribute and wrote “Gone too soon from this world. At a loss for words… I just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever-ready and present smile. Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart. #LegendsNeverDie.” She also shared a picture of the two of them from the sets of Ahsoka.

Ashoka premieres on Disney+Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

Source: People