The Ultimate Guide to Bespin Guards: Star Wars History & Autograph Collecting

 Discover the history of the Bespin Guards from Star Wars. From Kenner action figures to signatures of the actors who played the iconic blue Bespin guards. Find Bespin Guard memorabilia for sale and autographs of actors.

The Ultimate Guide to Bespin Guards: Star Wars History & Autograph Collecting

When fans think of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Iconic imagery like the frozen wastes of Hoth or the massive Executor star destroyer usually come to mind. But one of the most visually distinct groups introduced in the film was the Bespin Guards (officially known in lore as the Bespin Wing Guard).

Responsible for law enforcement in Lando Calrissian’s floating metropolis, Cloud City. Equally, these security officers wore some of the most memorable uniforms in the galaxy. For autograph collectors at starwarsautograph.net, tracking down the actors behind these gold-trimmed blue helmets is a classic, highly rewarding chase.

Lando Calrissian with Bespin security guards Star Wars

Discover the history of the Bespin Guards from Star Wars

What are the Bespin Guards in Star Wars Lore?

The Bespin Wing Guard served as the primary police force of Cloud City. Unlike Imperial Stormtroopers or Rebel soldiers. The Wing Guard wore deep blue uniforms with red and gold piping, topped with a distinct, visored cap. Their job to maintain order, keep corporate espionage at bay, and ensure the Tibanna gas mining facility remained highly profitable.

While they spent most of their time policing casinos and escorting dignitaries, their world turned upside down when Darth Vader arrived. They were ultimately forced to comply with the Imperial occupation until Lando Calrissian triggered the city-wide evacuation. Additionally, ordering his guards to turn on the Imperial garrison.

Star Wars Actors Who Played Bespin Guards

Finding signed photos of background characters is a massive part of the Star Wars autograph hobby. Because many of these actors went uncredited in 1980, tracking down who wore the blue uniform can be tricky.

A handful of standout actors and stuntmen have been identified over the years as members of the Bespin Wing Guard:

Quentin Pierre (Sergeant Isdam Edian)

Quentin Pierre is one of the most recognizable Bespin Guards. In the film, his character given the name Sergeant Isdam Edian in Expanded Universe lore.

Pierre famously stood in as a double for Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) during production and played a Royal Guard in Return of the Jedi. One of the more accessible signers from the Cloud City sequences at conventions.

Quentin Pierre Sergeant Isdam Edian Bespin Guard Star Wars

Jim Dowdall (Captain Jerrol Blendin)

A veteran British stuntman, Jim Dowdall played a Stormtrooper in A New Hope before putting on the blue uniform in The Empire Strikes Back. His character is canonically known as Jerrol Blendin. Dowdall can be seen clearly in the Cloud City jail sequences interacting with Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Billy Dee Williams.

Bespin Guard actor Jim Dowdall Captain Jerrol Blendin Star Wars

Alan Harris (Sergeant Bislav Merril)

Alan Harris is a legendary name in the Star Wars background acting community. While he is most famous for playing the bounty hunter Bossk, he also suited up as a Bespin Guard (Sergeant Bislav Merril) for production stills.

Sadly, Harris passed away in 2020, making his multi-signed pieces highly sought after by collectors.

Star Wars Bespin Guard Alan Harris Sergeant Bislav Merril

Alan Austen (Alec Mard)

Alan Austen worked extensively as a stuntman and extra during the original trilogy. In The Empire Strikes Back, he portrayed a loyal guard named Alec Mard.

Also, like Pierre and Dowdall, Austen is a fan-favourite guest at autograph shows and is always happy to sign vintage Cloud City photos.

Collecting Bespin Guards Autographs and Vintage Figures

For figure collectors and autograph hounds alike, the Bespin Guard holds a nostalgic place in the hobby. Kenner released two distinct versions of the Bespin Security Guard action figure in the 1980s. A “White” variant and a “Black” variant, representing the diverse casting of the security force on set.

 

Kenner Bespin security guard figure Isdam Edian

 

 

Tips for Tracking Down Signatures

If you are trying to complete a multi-signed Cloud City piece or a dedicated Empire Strikes Back poster, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for Stunt Group Shots: Many of the UK-based stunt performers who played guards often sign together at European conventions.
• Focus on attendances and Show Signings: Check trusted autograph outlets for authenticated private signings with the surviving background cast.
• Know Your Variants: If you are having an actor sign a vintage Kenner card back, make sure you match the actor’s era and character if you are aiming for specific lore accuracy!

Whether you know them as the Cloud City Police, the Wing Guard, or simply the Bespin Guards. Additionally, these characters remain an indispensable thread in the fabric of the original Star Wars trilogy.