DrCrowTStarwars said:

Well that is sad:(

As a kid that little guy was my favorite character in that movie, no joke.

You know what is even more sad, until today I had no idea the character was played by an actor. I always thought he was a puppet like Yoda. No comment on the talent of the actor, just proof that I can get really confused sometimes.

It was a little of both, much like Admiral Ackbar.

IIRC, they shot closeups and inserts at ILM. When Nubb talks or his face moves, it's the puppet.

And yes, I know that's probably the one of the other rebel pilots in those pics, but it's the same puppet.