It’s been 38 years since the first Star Wars film was released, catapulting a group of relatively unknown actors into superstardom.
Almost overnight, Mark Hamil, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and their co-stars became international household names.
Even now, nearly four decades later (and thanks in large part to the many blockbuster sequels and prequels) the sci-fi epic’s main characters and familiar to almost everyone from ages nine to 99.
But where are the actors now? We look at the later lives of the stars of the original Star Wars trilogy.
Where are the film’s stars now?
Peter Mayhew: Mayhew played everyone’s favourite Star Wars character Chewbacca in four of the franchise’s films. When he’s not on the big screen, Mayhew scrapes a living appearing in commercials and doing promotional appearances dressed as Chewbacca. He will also appear in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Mark Hamil: The original Luke Skywalker didn’t make many movies after Star Wars. After dabbling in stage acting, he found success as a voice actor, most notably voicing the character of The Joker in Batman animations and video games. Later this year he will reprise his most famous role, playing Mr Skywalker in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Carrie Fisher: After she hung up her plaited buns, Carrie Fisher became an internationally acclaimed author, with her novel Postcards from the Edge and memoir Wishful Drinking becoming bestsellers. She has also dabbled in stage acting and various roles in TV shows and movies. She will join Mark Hamil in the new Star Wars film due for release later this year, playing Princess Leia again.
Harrison Ford: Ford has had the most success post-Star Wars, starring in dozens of blockbusters including the Indiana Jones series, Blade Runner, The Fugitive and Clear and Present Danger. At one point, he had starred in four of the top six highest-grossing films of all time and to date, his films have made more than $3.5 billion at the box office. Ford will also reprise the role of Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars sequel.
Anthony Daniels: Daniels played uptight droid C-3PO in the original Star Wars trilogy and has been making a living out of it ever since, reprising the role for radio, TV, theme park rides, video games, audio books and the more recent Star Wars films. He will also appear in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Kenny Baker: Baker found fame as R2-D2 in the original trilogy and later in the most recent films. In between, he tried his hand at stand-up comedy and playing the harmonica in a band. Despite his long-running feud with Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO, Baker will also return in the new Star Wars movie.
Billy Dee Williams: Williams played Lando Calrissian in the first three Star Wars films. Since then, he has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, released a jazz record, made a name for himself as a painter, guest-starred on numerous TV shows and loaned his voice to several video games. He will not appear in the new Star Wars film, to the horror of fans.
David Prowse: Prowse playing Darth Vader in the original trilogy, although the character was voiced by James Earl Jones. He continues to make a living from being Darth to this day, travelling around the world to various sci-fi conventions.
Frank Oz: Oz was the puppeteer and voice of Yoda in the original trilogy. He has been passing the time since working as a puppeteer for The Muppets and voicing various video game characters.
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