Stars Wars: Where Are They Now?(30 years later)

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Stars Wars: Where Are They Now?(30 years later)

May 28, 2007 on 1:22 pm | In bizarre | abcnews.go.com | digg it!

Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)

Luke Skywalker may have saved the empire from galactic evil, but his lightsaber skills left actor Mark Hamill with a little to be desired. Unable to shed his role as Luke, Hamill fled the action screen for the Broadway stage to prove his acting chops trumped his saber skills. However, his biggest success turned out to be his vocal stylings, which gave life to Joker on Fox's animated "The Adventures of Batman and Robin," as well as a number of other animated shows and movies.

Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

For an Oscar-winning actor, "Star Wars" proved to be much more of a burden than a blessing. Alec Guinness was already a distinguished actor with accaimed roles on his resume, but would be forever known as "Obi-Wan." He considered the trilogies' fans to be maniacal to an extent and did his best to ignore his presence in the film. However, Guinness was one of the few cast members to recognize the commercial appeal of the film from the beginning and negotiate a percentage of the gross, which allowed him financial security to recede into the stage acting scene and write an autobiography. Guinness died in 2000 at age 86 from liver cancer.

Anthony Daniels (C3P0)

Since he cast off the golden armor, English actor Anthony Daniels has not entirely relinquished his "Star Wars" past. Daniels is a contributor to sci-fi 'zines, such as his regular column in "The Star Wars Insider," titled "New Improved Wonder Column." He has also taken an interest in Sci-Fi gaming, publishing a comic book for Dark House, "The Protocol Offensive," which is reminiscent of his former robot persona. Daniels donned the droid suit for the prequel trilogy, although he only did the voice work for "Episode I -- The Phantom Menace."

Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)

After immortalizing the universe's most fearless Princess in a gold bikini, actress Carrie Fisher had trouble with life beyond "Star Wars." Fisher fell into a whirlwind of drug abuse accompanied by a quick-to-start quick-to-end marriage with Paul Simon. Her first attempts to break free from her typecast were of little note, but Fisher had a memorable turn as Meg Ryan's friend in "When Harry Met Sally." However, she found her calling not onscreen but on paper: writing. Four successful novels and a spot atop The New York Time's best-seller list launched her into a career of comedy-script writing, contributing to movies such "The Wedding Singer" and "Sister Act."

David Prowse (body of Vader)

David Prowse embodied the most memorable character in the "Star Wars" trilogy, although he received little credit for it. A former body-building champion, Prowse was reportedly never told that his voice would be dubbed over and has held a grudge ever since. Unfortunately, his health began to falter in 1990, when his dormant arthritis problems intensified and ultimately paralyzed both his arms. He now participates in various British arthritis organizations and serves as vice president of the Physically Handicapped and Able-bodied Association. Despite Prowse's lobbying efforts, he did not reprise his role for the fully armored Darth Vader in "Episode III."

Frank Oz (voice of Yoda)

Frank Oz: the hands, the voice, and the brains behind some of America's most beloved fuzzy friends and actors alike. As the voice responsible for the characters of Miss Piggy, Fozzie the Bear, Cookie Monster, Grover, he earned himself a reputation loud enough to play the voice of the most-respected creature of them all: Yoda. His successful muppet empire is still going strong, while he has also gathered directing credits for a slew of films, including 2006's version of "The Stepford Wives." Oz didn't let Lucas down when the director made the first three episodes; Oz lent his voice to the ancient Sage for his acrobatic lightsaber battle against Count Dooku.

Harrison Ford (Han Solo)

While many of the "Star Wars" characters suffered from typecasting, Harrison emerged as an international, sometimes intergalactic leading man. George Lucas first cast Ford in "American Graffiti," next in "Star Wars, " and his role as Indiana Jones solidified his iconic status. Ford went on star as the iconic Jack Ryan of Tom Clancy's novels and tried his luck at the occasional romantic comedy. The action star has yet to win an Academy Award, but he did take home the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 2000. Ford is set to reprise his other Lucas character Indiana Jones for an upcoming fourth installment, but it seems his Han Solo days are over.

James Earle Jones (voice of Darth Vader)

To portray the menacing Darth Vader, George Lucas opted for a classically trained voice: James Earle Jones. Although "Luke, I am your father" will forever live in the minds of "Star Wars" fans everywhere with Jones' imparted poignance, he has become the most disctintive and sought- after voice in the media. In addition to Jones' Oscar-nominated role in "The Great White Hope," Jones, like Harrison Ford, found a calling in films based on Tom Clancy books. His infamous voice can also be heard as the voice of CNN, Verizon and Mufasa in Disney's "The Lion King." Distinguished by both his voice and acclaimed acting skills, Jones has also received one Grammy, two Emmy Awards and two Tony Awards.

Kenny Baker (R2-D2)

Kenny Baker, a dwarf at 3 feet 8 inches, was free from trilogy stigmas that may have hindered other cast members. Baker, a former circus performer, continued entertaining as a DJ, circus clown and shadow ringmaster. In addition to occasional film roles, including an elf in a 1987 production of "Sleeping Beauty," he also developed his own musical comedy act, The Mini Tones. Baker and C3PO's Anthony Daniels are the only two actors credited with appearances in all six "Star Wars" films. Most recently, Baker made British headlines in 2005 for his arrest for driving while intoxicated.

Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin)

After Grand Moff Tarkin met his end on the detonated Death Star in the original "Star Wars," actor Peter Cushing's life took a turn for the quieter. He appeared sporadically in films and TV shows, completed two autobiographies and relegated himself to spectator status for his favorite hobby, bird watching. However, his retirement years did not abandon him as a lost figure in the acting world: in 1989, he was made an officer of the British Empire, receiving recognition for his contributions to acting, both in England and worldwide. Cushing died in 1994 at the age of 81 of prostate cancer.

Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)

Interestingly enough for a character who's more than 7 feet tall and covered in yak hair, Peter Mayhew embraced his character Chewbacca instead of shedding the fuzz as soon as the scene was cut. He continued to portray the hairy but friendly beast well after the movies were completed, including a cameo at the 1997 MTV Movie Awards. Mayhew was tapped to fill the Wookie suit once again for "Episode III;" his studied movement of the character made a stand in or stuntman merely a sub-par Wookie. English by birth, Mayhew now lives in Texas, visiting science fiction expositions across the company, and in 2005, he took the oath to become a naturalized citizen.

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45 Comments »

thee timee goes for everybody , iddiots,
Comment by just, me— July 20, 2008 #
Crec?� viendo la trilog?�a de Star Wars y me dio mucha melancol?�a ver a todos estos personajes, el tiempo pasa inexorablemente, pero al mismo tiempo quedan recuerdos imborrables en la memoria, gracias por informarnos sobre el presente de todos estos grandes actores.
Comment by Byron— May 23, 2008 #
Hello soy fanatica de la guerra de las galaxias y amo a Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) espero que les siga llendo bien ademas estan bastante bien a pesar de los a?�os... Un BESO grande para todos..
Jeannette de Santiago de Chile..

Comment by Jeannette— May 15, 2008 #
A mi y a mi hijo nos encanta star wars,creo que es una de las mejores pel?�culas creadas de ciencia ficci??n,y le doy mis felicitaciones al se?�or Lucas y a todos sus actores, ya que esta pel?�cula perdurar?? siempre en todos los hogares,
gracias por entreternenos a los mayores y a los peque?�os.
Comment by Alicia— May 12, 2008 #
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE YOU LUKE SKYWALKER!

Yours Truly,
Grace Anne

P.S.You still look soso.
Comment by Grace Anne— January 6, 2008 #
i wan't to become yoda
Comment by religious mantis— December 7, 2007 #
Yoda is my BFF
Comment by Laura Mercado— December 2, 2007 #
...
Comment by LORD VADER— November 15, 2007 #
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Comment by Fernando Mercado— November 15, 2007 #
This is great stuff!! Thanks for sharing. Sad to see some of these guys didn't have it too good after Star Wars but that's just life. Would be nice to see how some of the other members of the cast turned out. Thanks heaps, again.
Comment by EmmanueL70— October 31, 2007 #
Mark Hamill looks BAD!! And I used to have such a crush on him. Wow...
Comment by Jenny— September 27, 2007 #
me en kanta star wars esta to guapo pero algunos poersonajes me parecen una mierda komo obi wan kenovi r2d2 7 luke skiwarlker
Comment by lola— September 19, 2007 #
you are a frykis.the stras wars is a set
Comment by anti_frykis— August 13, 2007 #
I think its funny how Christopher Lee has weilded two of the most special and iconic weopons in all film history; weilding the Golden Gun in "The man with the Golden Gun", which obviously is very cool. And the distinctive 'curved' Lightsabre in Episode II.
Comment by Chris— August 1, 2007 #
Hi all!

Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!

G'night

Comment by rofovnifo— July 4, 2007 #
Ian McDiarmid was later put in as the hologram of the emperor in Episode V. I find it ironic that both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee have both played bad guys in the saga.

Gilly - does Dave Prowse have a calliper on his leg? - more machine now than man.

Mark Hamill - filming Robot Chicken: Star Wars
Alec Guiness - sadly died - one of the best British actors.

Anthony Daniels - filming Star Wars TV series
Carrie Fisher - filming Fanboys with Billy Dee Williams

Dave Prowse - in Perfect Woman
Frank Oz - voice of Yoda in The Clone Wars (the new one they are doing - not the cartoon)

Harrison Ford - Indian Jones IV
James Earl Jones - The Better Man
Kenny Baker - Casualty - a couple of episodes (He is 73 now!)

Peter Cushing - sadly passed away.
Peter Mayhew - Yesterday Was A Lie
Billy Dee Williams - Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, Lost and Fanboys
Ian McDiarmid - Elizabeth I
Comment by Mondrak— June 9, 2007 #
I'm missing a person on this site:

Ian McDiarmid who played the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in Episodes I, II, III and the later Emperor in Episode VI.

Greetings Gilly
Comment by Gilly— June 6, 2007 #
Uck, Mark Hamill ist nein cool, jaa.
Der Obi-Wan ist dead naow.

Danke Star Wars!!

Miroslav
Comment by Miroslav Klose— June 5, 2007 #
David Prowse now lives in a little village just outside northampton, uk. It still make me chuckle to myself when i hear one of the locals in the pub shout... "Go on darth get us a drink...". it wouldn't be so bad but their his friends. lol
Comment by Darths B@stard son— June 5, 2007 #
pen cap
Comment by cat— June 5, 2007 #
poop
Comment by cat— June 5, 2007 #
hehehe you are all so odd
Comment by mr blobby— June 4, 2007 #
Chipmonk is correct. Check the Findagrave web site.
Comment by George— June 4, 2007 #
Chipmunk is correct. Check the Find A Grave web site for date of Alec Guinness's death.
Comment by George— June 4, 2007 #
BTW : Thanks for the great work in putting this all together, great to see where all of the actors have gotten to.
Comment by Chipmunk— June 3, 2007 #
Alec Guinness died on August 5, 2000, at the age of 86, from liver cancer, at Midhurst in West Sussex
Comment by Chipmunk— June 3, 2007 #
I looked it up.

You're wrong.
Comment by Shoe— June 3, 2007 #
i am really sure that obe one konobie spelling? well he died in the 70 or 80s look it up...
Comment by old guy— June 3, 2007 #
This was very interesting.
Appreciation for the efforts you made putting this together.

Comment by Lew— June 3, 2007 #
in 50 years? Nobody cares now!
Comment by SAmmy BOOOOOY— June 3, 2007 #
Douchebag, everone knows ''I am your father'' is in Starwars Olla. YOu gotta suck at Starwars Quizzing if you don't know that. Dee dee deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
Comment by Dee dee deeeee— June 3, 2007 #
'Luke, I am your father' or 'No, I am your father'

Who really cares. I think we ALL get the point.
Are you all that anal retentive or is your life so drab that you've become overly obsessed with minor details as to point out someone's slight miscues.
News Flash! in 50 years no one will really care.
Comment by Bill— June 1, 2007 #
Too many random comments!
Comment by Dub— June 1, 2007 #
The quote is actually, "No, I am your father." He doesn't really say "Luke."
Comment by Rin— June 1, 2007 #
I just can't believe this...rather i very much love on the star wars...when i was at 7th standard...
Comment by debudeodhar— May 30, 2007 #
Some of you commenters are complete douchebags and slightly dumb! He does say "I am your father" in The Empire Strikes Back. In Cloud City. After he cut Luke's hand off. So I guess that makes you a big fail, Olla.
Comment by Sarah— May 29, 2007 #
Try "Leia."

That will work better.
Comment by Jeff— May 29, 2007 #
very interesting
Comment by danny boy— May 29, 2007 #
Oops...it's late...I meant Liea! My bad!!!!
Comment by Sakuro— May 29, 2007 #
Wow! You guys are so petty with your comments! First, thanks for putting this up...it was great to see where they are now. Secondly, I still think Leah is a hottie!
Comment by Sakuro— May 29, 2007 #
"Although 'Luke, I am your father' will forever live in the minds of 'Star Wars' fans everywhere with Jones' imparted poignance, he has become the most disctintive and sought- after voice in the media."

Wft? "Luke, I am your father." Is not a line in any of the movies. Big fail.
Comment by Olla— May 29, 2007 #
my name is duncan and I'm gay as a goose.
Comment by duncan— May 29, 2007 #
Terry,

Bend over and remove pineapple from ass. Thanks much!
Comment by The enforcer— May 29, 2007 #
Weird
Comment by Crimefaction— May 29, 2007 #
"visiting science fiction expositions across the company, and in 2005, he took the oath to become a naturalized citizen."

Across the COMPANY?

You mean COUNTRY?
Comment by Terry— May 29, 2007 #

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