An American voice actor famed for delivering one of the most famous lines of the Star Wars series has died at the age of 93.

Erik Bauersfeld spent a lifetime in radio but will be best remembered for three words on film, declaring "It's a trap!" as the character Admiral Ackbar.

Bauersfeld also voiced the role of Jabba the Hut's steward Bib Fortuna in 1983's Return Of The Jedi.

But it was his one-second reading of resistance leader Admiral Ackbar's "trap" line in the same film that earned its place in the pantheon as one of the most quoted bits of dialogue from the smash hit movie series.

Bauersfeld's manager Derek Maki confirmed the veteran performer died at his home in Berkley, California, on Sunday.