Star Wars and James Bond actor Khan Bonfils dies

Khan Bonfils has died after collapsing during a theatre rehearsal.

The British actor was known for playing Jedi master Saesee Tiin in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace in 1999.

Bonfils, who was also credited as Kan Bonfils, had been rehearsing for Dante's Inferno, which was to open at The Rag Factory in London on Thursday (January 8).

Members of the Craft Theatre company and paramedics were unable to resuscitate the actor after he collapsed backstage.

Company spokesperson Chris Hislop said: ''Kan collapsed during a rehearsal and the director Rocky Rodriguez Jr performed CPR on location.

"The entire company are in shock. There is absolutely severe sadness, it is a real tragedy."

Dante's Inferno will now open on Saturday (December 10) featuring Ryan Prescott, a close friend of the late Bonfils.

"In honor of Kan Bonfils, Craft Theatre will continue with plans to stage their production of Dante's Inferno, which Mr Bonfils was due to perform in and would have opened on January 8th 2015," reads a statement from the theatre.

"Ryan Prescott, a close friend, will be stepping in to represent Mr Bonfils's work, alongside other company members yet to be confirmed".

Rodriguez added that the company wants "to finish the journey that Kan was on".

Bonfils played a henchman in Skyfall, and appeared as Isagura in Tomorrow Never Dies.

His other films included Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life and Batman Begins, while he also starred in a number of West End productions.