David Steinberg, best known for playing Meegosh in George Lucas‘ 1988 film Willow, directed by Ron Howard died on March 15 at age 45 in Valencia, California – where he moved in 2004. No cause of death was given. Steinberg earned good reviews for performances at the New York Shakespeare Festival, Baltimore’s Center Stage and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

Steinberg also appeared in Baz Luhrmann’s production of La Boheme in New York and L.A. as well as the Grammy-nominated national tour of The Wizard of Oz.

Steinberg once said,

“I want to be noticed eventually because I’m a good actor, That’s a real goal of mine: to be respected as a person and an actor, not just because I’m short.”

In addition to his role in Willow, Steinberg appeared in the films Wigstock, Love and Sex and The Hebrew Hammer among others. On television, Steinberg appeared on Charmed, and The Equalizer, and guest starred on a 2007 episode of Ugly Betty, where he acted opposite Rebecca Romijn.

Private memorial services in Gotham and Los Angeles are planned for May.

[Note]
On behalf of everyone here at SciFi Mafia (contributors and readers alike), I would like to extend our sympathies to all of David’s family and friends.