Richard Stride is an English actor and stunt performer best known for his work across the Star Wars prequel trilogy, playing a Clone Trooper in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and portraying Poggle the Lesser, the Archduke of Geonosis, in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Stride’s professional sword skills, honed through earlier work on productions including Gladiator and First Knight, made him a valuable performer for the prequel trilogy’s extensive lightsaber and combat choreography, and he also served as a double for Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi across several sequences.
His combination of stunt expertise and on-screen alien and trooper performances reflects the demanding physical requirements of working on the prequel trilogy’s large-scale battle sequences.
After his time in the Star Wars franchise, Stride went on to found his own theatre company, drawing on his extensive background in stage combat and performance. His contributions to some of the prequel trilogy’s most elaborate action sequences have made him a respected figure among Star Wars collectors, and he remains a popular and engaging guest on the convention circuit, sharing detailed recollections of the physically demanding work behind the films’ large-scale battles.