The Star Wars saga has been going on for over 40 years and it’s still using the same actors!
Check out what some of the Star Wars actors look like today!
Harrison Ford as Han Solo
Harrison Ford was a carpenter on the set of Star Wars when he was selected for the role of Han Solo. Since then, his career took off and he’s one of the biggest Hollywood stars in history! Probably because, as Han Solo, he shot first.
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
The central character in the Star Wars saga (although not featured as such in every movie) is Luke Skywalker, who is played by Mark Hamill. His character was born in Star Wars Episode III and began training to become a Jedi in Star Wars Episode V.
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia
Carrie Fisher was our favorite Princess ever, Princess Leia! In hindsight, she said that if she had known how popular she would become as a result of the movie, she would have passed on the role because it made the lives of her parents very difficult.
David Prowse as Darth Vader’s Body
You probably already know that James Earl Jones played Darth Vader… the VOICE of Darth Vader. David Prowse is the man who actually played Darth Vader. He was a body builder. But if you think that’s his face at the end of Star Wars Episode VI, nope, that’s someone else.
James Earl Jones as Darth Vader’s Voice
James Earl Jones managed to become Darth Vader in the eyes of all fans by only providing Darth Vader’s voice… much to the chagrin of David Prowse, who physically played Vader! James Earl Jones has one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood.
Sir Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi
Alec Guiness, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi, passed away in 2000 at the age of 86. He was not happy with the huge amount of attention he had received in the years following the film, but was thankful that it made him rich enough to refuse acting parts he didn’t want to play.
Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
Taking up the mantle set forth by Alec Guiness (the old Obi-Wan Kenobi), Ewan McGregor did an excellent job as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi. Unfortunately, Ewan McGregor only had a cameo in Episode VII, since his character died in Episode IV.
Kenny Baker as R2-D2
We all know Kenny Baker as R2-D2, whom he played in all 7 Star Wars movies released thus far. Unfortunately, Kenny just passed away this year (2016), so he probably won’t be playing R2-D2 in Star Wars Episode VIII, unless the scenes were recorded before his death.
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
The role of C-3PO has made up the bulk of actor Anthony Daniels’ acting career… and rightfully so, the man absolutely NAILED that part! He’s played a few other roles in his career but he’s also the only actor to play in all 7 movies, the Clone Wars film and the TV series.
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
Billy Dee Williams played the super popular Lando Calrissian in Star Wars Episode V and VI. When Episode VII was announced and everyone was told that Lando would not be in the movie, the fans on social media were very disappointed. Maybe in Episode VIII…
Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
One of the all-time favorite Star Wars characters is Chewbacca, the Wookie. Peter Mayhew is the actor who plays the gigantic hairy alien. Peter is 7’3″ tall and only had to stand up for George Lucas to get cast in the role. Born in England, he now lives in Texas.
Warwick Davis as Wicket
Warwick Davis was very young when he played the Ewok, Wicket, in Star Wars Episode III. He said he based the Ewok’s movements and mannerisms on his dog. Warwick would go on to star (to critical acclaim) in the fantasy movie, Willow.
Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine
When he was young, Ian McDiarmid played the ancient and evil Emperor Palpatine. Then, when he was 30 years older, he played the younger version of his character when he was still a Senator in the Galactic Republic. Go figure…
Frank Oz as Yoda
Frank Oz is a very well known filmmaker and puppeteer, but not many people know he also voiced Yoda (as well as controlled the Yoda puppet). Frank has worked with the legendary Jim Henson and even directed one of our favorite movies, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala
Natalie Portman has been acting since she was a little kid, so by the time she played Queen Amidala, she was already well known to the public. That being said, her role as the Queen propelled her even further into stardom. Her character died in Episode III.
Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn
Liam Neeson has played some seriously big roles like Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List, Ra’s Al-Ghul in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi Mentor in Star Wars Episode I.
Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu
A bad mother long before he played Jedi Master Mace Windu, Samuel L. Jackson was nonetheless a bad mother in Star Wars Episode I, II and III. He might be the most famous African-American actor in Hollywood, aside from maybe Denzel Washington.
Jake Lloyd as Young Anakin Skywalker
Jake Lloyd regrets playing the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I. He was very young and got terrible criticism for his acting. He did not take it well and said that it turned him off from acting completely. He’s also had some brushes with the law recently.
Hayden Christensen as Teenage Anakin Skywalker
Critics were not very kind to Hayden Christensen’s performance as the teenage Anakin Skywalker (and eventually, Darth Vader) but the role gave him HUGE exposure and helped his career tremendously. We’re pretty sure the Canadian actor is thankful for playing Anakin.
Rose Byrne as Dorme
Rose Byrne is known more for other roles than she is for her role as the handmaiden to Senator Amidala in Star Wars Episode II. She has also acted in Neighbors with Zac Efron and Seth Rogen and in X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Apocalypse as Moira MacTaggert.
John Ratzenberger as Major Bren Derlin
Best known for his role as Cliff Clavin in the TV sitcom, Cheers, John Ratzenberger has also been prominently featured in different Pixar movies and played Major Bren Derlin in Star Wars Episode V (The Empire Strikes Back).
Christopher Lee as Count Dooku
Christopher Lee, whom you might remember as Count Dooku (Darth Tyranis) in Star Wars Episodes II and III, as well as Saruman in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies passed away recently in 2015 at the age of 93. He had a film career that started way back in 1948!
Jimmy Smits as Senator Bail Organa
Jimmy Smits, whom we first remember from the crime drama, NYPD Blue, played the adoptive father of Leia, Senator Bail Organa. He was featured in Star Wars Episode II and III and his character died when Alderaan was destroyed in Episode IV.
Joel Edgerton as Owen Lars
Joel Edgerton is an Australian actor who played the young Owen Lars in Star Wars Episode II and III. His character is the step-brother of Anakin Skywalker and secretly takes custody of one of Anakin’s twins, Luke.
Terence Stamp as Chancellor Valorum
Terence Stamp played the last democratically elected Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, Chancellor Valorum. He oversaw a corrupt government but meant well (deep down inside). He was voted out of office with a “no-confidence” vote.
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