Mark
Hamill
(Luke Skywalker)
Partly because of a disfiguring car crash in 1976, Hamill could
never seriously pursue an active film career. Yet, it is ironic
that in his though he faced the problem of being typecast as
a upright hero like Luke Skywalker in live-action roles, Mark
Hamill found that his successful career as an animation voice
actor has typecast him as a player of flamboyant villains like
the Joker in 'Batman: The Animated Series' and also in Scooby
Doo videos. His son, Nathan Hamill, played a Gungan in 'Episode
I: The Phantom Menace'.
Carrie
Fisher
(Princess Leia Organa)
She married musician Paul Simon after 'Return of the Jedi' in
'83, and divorced him soon after. Since then she has done quite
a few roles in comedies such as 'When Harry Met Sally', 'Drop
Dead Fred' and the soap opera spoof 'Soapdish'. Recently she
had a cameo in the first 'Austin Powers' and was in the spoof-sequel
'Scream 3'.
Harrison
Ford
(Han Solo)
Of all those who appeared in the original Star Wars, he probably
has had the most illustrious career since. From playing Tom
Clancy's Jack Ryan in two films to the beloved Indiana Jones
in another three, he was the first man to have $100 million+
blockbusters in four seperate decades! Where was he in '62?
He played Bob Falfa in American Graffiti.
Peter
Cushing
(Grand Moff Tarkin)
Cushing had a LONG career pre-Star Wars, but a short one after
it. He did very little work after his role as the creator of
the Death Star, and passed away in August of 1994.
Alec
Guiness
(Obi-Wan Kenobi)
If Ford had the most illustrious career post-Star Wars, Guiness
had enjoyed it before the saga began. After Star Wars and before
his death in August this year, he had not done much work of
note, except The Passage to India and Little Dorrit.
Peter
Mayhew
(Chewbacca)
The man behind the mask of that lovable Wookiee is a regular
on the Star Wars convention circuit- and always a favorite there.
He had briefly started a few businesses with the money from
his films, but scrapped the plan in favor of the tour circuit.
Dave
Prowse
(Darth Vader- behind mask)
In my opinion, other than the role of Darth Vader, the most
awesome role this man ever did was to play Hotblack Desiato's
bodyguard in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy mini-series.
Yes, it was British. Yes, maybe it was a bit cheesy. But it
was Douglas Adams at his best.
Phil
Brown
(Uncle Owen Lars)
Believe it or not, this man was exiled to England by the House
Un-American Activities Committee in '52. He came back to the
US in '92 and has been there since.
Shelagh
Fraser
(Aunt Beru Lars)
Our beloved Aunt Beru was killed by imperial stormtroopers on
Tatooine. Shelagh Fraser passed away September this year.
Dennis
Lawson
(Wedge Antilles)
Trivia Question: Did Obi-Wan and Wedge Antilles ever meet? Answer:
Wedge is Kenobi's uncle! That's right, Dennis Lawson, who played
the only man to survive two successful attacks on the Death
Star, is Ewan McGregor's uncle. And the two of them are teaming
up for a film which should be heading for production any time
soon!
William
Hootkins
(Jek Porkins)
I had to include Porkins. I just had to! This man has been in
a lot of small roles since Star Wars in films such as Batman,
Raiders of the Lost Ark, A River Runs Through it, The Island
of Dr. Moreau and The Never Ending Story III.
Richard
Le Parmentier
(Admiral Motti)
Small roles in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and Superman II; besides
which he has recently entered the tour/convention circuit.
James
Earl Jones
(Darth Vader- voice)
This man has leant his voice to everything. If there have been
people in the past who's faces launched a thousand products;
this man's voice has. From Mufasa in Disney's Lion King ("Simba,
I am your father!") to CNN ("This is CNN"). From
Fantasia 2000 to Verizon's recent ad campaign.
Billy
Dee Williams
(Lando Calrissian)
Did you know that this man was an accomplished artist before
his acting career began? In fact, his work would sell for thousands.
A lot of thousands! I remember him as Harvey Dent in Batman.
Recently he was in the comedy 'The Ladies Man'.
Frank
Oz
(Yoda- voice & puppetry)
This man has always been the perpetual voice of the muppets;
Grover, Bert, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Fozzie, Animal, Sam Eagle
are all him. He has also directed quite a few comedies since
Star Wars like Bowfinger, What About Bob?, In & Out, The
Indian in the Cupboard and is directing the upcoming 'The Score'
starring Robert de Niro and Edward Norton about an aging thief
who hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when
a young kid blackmails him into doing one last heist.
