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Mark Hamill. Carrie Fisher. Harrison Ford. Daisy Ridley. John Boyega. We all know them from Star Wars movies. Sure, all of them acted before Star Wars but it was Star Wars that made them stars. There are plenty of actors, however, who appeared in Star Wars movies but aren’t remembered for it. Some played uncredited extras, like Stormtroopers and droids and handmaidens. Others got famous long after their appearance, even decades later. In any case, it’s about time we look back at our favorite forgotten Star Wars appearances and also some of our favorite cameos from already-famous actors!
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They Were in Star Wars? 15 Actors You (Probably) Didn't Know Were In Star Wars Movies Transcript
Many Hollywood actors are known for their roles in Star Wars movies. The beloved series may have even launched their careers! But others gained fame later on and their Star Wars appearance is largely forgotten. Maybe they played extras, were uncredited, or simply hidden behind costumes and makeup. No matter the reason, here are 15 of our favorite actors that you probably didn't know were in Star Wars movies!
John Ratzenberger
- Character: Major Bren Derlin
- Appearance: The Empire Strikes Back
- "Your highness, there's nothing more we can do tonight. The shield doors must be closed." (Bren Derlin to Princess Leia)
- John Ratzenberger is better known for playing postal carrier Cliff Clavin in Cheers (for which he earned two Emmy nominations) and for voice acting in every feature-length Pixar movie (notably Hamm in the Toy Story franchise and Mack in the Cars franchise).
Keira Knightley
- Character: Sabé
- Appearance: The Phantom Menace
- Keira Knightley is famous for her roles as Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Juliet in Love, Actually, Elizabeth Bennett in Pride & Prejudice, and Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game. Before all that, she appeared onscreen as Padmé Amidala's handmaiden, Sabé. She was only seen and not heard, however, as all of her speaking parts were overdubbed by Natalie Portman.
Warwick Davis
- Character: Wicket W. Warrick
- Appearance: Return of the Jedi
- Warwick Davis was originally cast as an unnamed Ewok extra in Return of the Jedi, but replaced Kenny Baker as Wicket W. Warrick when he was ill. Davis would go on to play four separate roles in The Phantom Menace, plus one role each in The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi. Outside of the Star Wars universe, Davis played Willow Ufgood in Willow, Professor Filius Flitwick and Griphook in the Harry Potter series, and the Leprechaun in the first six Leprechaun movies.
Joel Edgerton
- Character: Owen Lars
- Appearance: Attack of the Clones & Revenge of the Sith
- "Owen Lars. This is my girlfriend, Beru." (Owen Lars to Anakin Skywalker)
- Joel Edgerton is known for his critically-acclaimed performances as Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, Gordon "Gordo" Moseley in The Gift (which he also wrote and directed), and Richard Loving in Loving. Before that, he played a young Owen Lars in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, a role he is reportedly eager to revisit in future movies.
Rose Byrne
- Character: Dormé
- Appearance: Attack of the Clones
- "It's not me, m'lady. I'm worried about you." (Dormé toe Padmé Amidala)
- Rose Byrne was gaining some recognition in Australian films, but her first international role was Dormé in Attack of the Clones. She would become famous for playing Scarlet Levy in 28 Weeks Later, Renai Lambert in Insidious, Moira Mac Taggert in X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Apocalypse. She also starred in a string of successful comedies.
Julian Glover
- Character: General Maximillian Veers
- Appearance: The Empire Strikes Back
- "Yes, Lord Vader. I've reached the main power generators. You may start your landing." (General Veers to Darth Vader)
- Before appearing in The Empire Strikes Back, Julian Glover had acted in the London theater and on British television series since the 1950s. Today, he is better known as Aristotle "Aris" Kristatos in For Your Eyes Only, Walter Donovan in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the voice of Aragog in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and as Grand Maester Pycelle in Game of Thrones.
Tony Cox
- Character: Widdle Warrick
- Appearance: Return of the Jedi
- Tony Cox had only been in minor roles in movies and television before appearing as Widdle Warrick, Wicket's older brother, in Return of the Jedi. He reprised the role in the two television movies, Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. He later played a Dink, one of the Jawa parodies, in Spaceballs. But Cox would achieve fame outside a costume as the limo driver in Me, Myself & Irene, Marcus Skidmore in Bad Santa, and for roles in the Date Movie, Epic Movie, and Disaster Movie parodies.
Deep Roy
- Character: Yoda (Stand-In), R2-D2 (Double), and Droopy McCool
- Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back & Return of the Jedi
- Deep Roy played Droopy McCool (also known as Snit) and an Ewok in Return of the Jedi. He also played Yoda for a single walking sequence in The Empire Strikes Back, and was an R2-D2 body double in both films. He continued stunt work for years, including standing in for Warwick Davis in two Leprechaun movies. But he's best known today for playing all of the Ooma-Loompas in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Keenser in the Star Trek reboot films, and for appearances in The X-Files and Eastbound & Down.
Treat Williams
- Character: Rebel Soldier
- Appearance: The Empire Strikes Back
- Treat Williams visited The Empire Strikes Back set in 1979 to see Carrie Fisher and possibly appear as an extra. The plan worked and he appeared as a Rebel soldier in Echo Base, though the role was uncredited. Williams had just appeared in the musical film Hair and would become better known for his roles in Prince of the City, The Late Shift, Everwood, and 127 Hours.
Keisha Castle-Hughes
- Character: Queen Apailana
- Appearance: Revenge of the Sith
- Keisha Castle-Hughes' first film role as Paikea "Pai" Apirana in Whale Rider earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She was the youngest person nominated in that category at the time. In Revenge of the Sith, Castle-Hughes played Queen Apailana, also the youngest queen of Naboo. She continued appearing in movies but she's known today for her work in television, as Donna Mancini in Roadies, Obra Sand in Game of Thrones, and Tabby Milgrim in Manhunt: Unabomber.
Dominic West
- Character: Jerus Jannick
- Appearance: The Phantom Menace
- Dominic West began his career in a number of minor film roles, including the palace guard Jerus Jannick in The Phantom Menace. He soon appeared in higher-profile roles, as Fred Casely in Chicago, Theron in 300, and Billy Russotti (a.k.a. Jigsaw) in Punisher: War Zone. However, he's most famous for his television role as Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty in The Wire and Noah Solloway in The Affair, along with other critically-acclaimed roles in The Hour and Appropriate Adult.
Sofia Coppola
- Character: Saché
- Appearance: The Phantom Menace
- Sophia Coppola wasn't exactly unknown prior to appearing in The Phantom Menace. She was in The Godfather films, The Outsider, and Peggy Sue Got Married, all directed by her father, Francis Ford Coppola. Family friend George Lucas cast her as Saché, one of Padmé Amidala's handmaidens, so that she could watch the filmmaking. Coppola is better known today as the director and screenwriter of The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Somewhere, and The Beguiled.
Richard Armitage
- Character: Pilot
- Appearance: The Phantom Menace
- Richard Armitage had some experience acting in theater before his first film appearance, a Naboo fighter pilot in The Phantom Menace. Afterward, he found higher-profile television roles, including Guy Gisborne in Robin Hood, Lucas North in Spooks, and Francis Dolarhyde in Hannibal. Armitage also appeared in movies as Heinz Kruger in Captain America: The First Avenger and, perhaps most notably, Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit film series.
Peter Serafinowicz
- Character: Darth Maul
- Appearance: The Phantom Menace
- Peter Serafinowicz got his start in shows on BBC Radio 1 and 3. He then appeared on several television shows before landing his first feature film role, dubbing the voice of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. Since then, he has become a prolific actor in film and television, mostly guest and minor roles. Some of these include Pete in Shaun of the Dead, Denarian Garthan Saal in Guardians of the Galaxy, and Aldo in Spy. He currently has the starring role in the live-action adaptation of The Tick.
Sally Hawkins
- Character: Villager
- Appearance: The Phantom Menace
- Like many actors on this list, Sally Hawkins started with minor roles in theater and television. While still a student, she appeared as an unnamed civilian extra in a crowd scene in The Phantom Menace. She went on to higher-profile (and critically-acclaimed) performances, including Pauline "Poppy" Cross in Happy-Go-Lucky, Ginger in Blue Jasmine, Maud Lewis in Maudie, and Elisa Esposito in The Shape of Water. Her role in The Shape of Water, in particular, earned her nominations for the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actress.
Sources: IMDB.com, Movie Screencaps.com, Star Wars Screencaps.com, Wookiepedia
Did we mention your favorite lost Star Wars appearance? Or how about the cameos? (Sadly, there were so many we couldn’t include them all!) Let us know all about it in the comments below. And if we’ve got you feeling nostalgic for Star Wars, be sure to check out our new Star Wars gifts!
Infographic designed by Travis Green
