Bryan Alexander

USA TODAY

Erik Bauersfeld, the actor who gave voice to the beloved Star Wars character Admiral Ackbar, has died at age 93, his management office confirmed Monday.

A statement from Coolwaters Productions said Bauersfeld died on Sunday in his Berkeley, Calif., home.

"Actor Erik Bauersfeld, known by Star Wars fans around the globe as the voice of Admiral Ackbar, has passed away," the statement said. "His passing comes at the age of 93 and the cause was natural causes. Erik will be deeply missed by his family here at Coolwaters and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

The veteran voice actor and radio drama producer will be best remembered voicing the amphibious Admiral Ackbar, foremost military commander of the Rebel Alliance, in the Star Wars saga.

Ackbar gave the famous line in 1983's Return of the Jedi, "It's a trap" which became a popular internet meme. Bauersfeld was surprised to learn about Ackbar's popularity years after executing the work.

"The fans who write say they'll never forget 'It's a trap!' I don't even remember how I said it," an amused Bauersfeld told The San Francisco Chronicle in 2011. "It's not that I don't like it or don't respect it. I just don't have time to be a fan and see it 10 times or 20 times."

Bauersfeld did remember that he was inspired by Ackbar's unusual look, and was offered no direction for the voice.

"I saw the face, and I knew what he must sound like," he said.

Ackbar and Bauersfeld returned for an appearance as the main resistance leader in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Bauersfeld also voiced Bib Fortuna, Jabba the Hut's evil assistant in The Return of the Jedi.

The Coolwaters Productions website paid tribute on Monday.