'Star Wars' Day: What are the Original Cast Members Doing Now?

[Wangman Page]

Star Wars fans are a precarious bunch. No one finds more faults with the series than they do (Jar Jar Binks and all of Episode I, Greedo Shooting First and the 1997 re-releases amongst many frequent targets), but there are few groups of fans that are as dedicated and obsessively in love with their chosen series.

As such, the stars of the films (or, the original ones, anyway) have become icons, heroes of the fan base through thick and thin. And there's been a bit of each for the actors in the years since. Now, nearly 35 years since the first film, Episode IV, let's take a look at what the main stars are doing in 2012.

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Mark Hamill

He never had a role as iconic as Luke Skywalker -- unless you're a major comic book fan. He is the voice of The Joker in Batman cartoons and the two hit Arkham video games, cackling evil psychosis for a wicked avatar. You can currently hear him voicing characters on the Adult Swim show Metalocalypse. He is also now helping develop the comic book series New-Gen, published by Marvel, and will have a role in the live action film.

Carrie Fisher

Princess Leia has had her ups and downs, but was able to turn those experiences into a hit one-woman show, Wishful Drinking, with which she's still touring. Her struggles with her weight have also turned into opportunity, as she is now a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig.

Harrison Ford

The most successful of the Star Wars cast, Ford's post-Jedi credits need no introduction. His last film, 2011's Cowboys & Aliens, though, was a flop. Still, he's pressing on, with a role in the currently filming Ender's Game, an upcoming turn as Branch Rickey in the Jackie Robinson film 42, and will reprise his role as Indiana Jones in an upcoming fifth film -- at some point, anyway.

Billy Dee Williams

The man who played Lando Calrissian has worked consistently since the first trilogy ended, with film roles, soap opera arcs and self-aware appearances as Lando in other projects. He's due to star in the indie films This Bitter Earth and Atuma this year.

James Earl Jones

The recipient of an honorary Oscar last year, Jones is an acting legend who is still going strong at 81-years old. Having traded between television, film and stage, he is currently starring in Gore Vidal's Broadway play, The Best Man.

Anthony Daniels

Being the voice behind C-3PO has given Daniels a lifetime of work. He still voices the neurotic droid, in video games, cartoons and more.

Peter Mayhew

If you're a Glee fan (or just a Star Wars fan who tuned in to the high school musical dramedy that night), you saw Chewbacca during the Christmas episode. Good news: that was Mayhew, the original wookie, under the suit.

A few days late but happy Star Wars Day everyone.

 

[Fuji Vice]

Too bad they didn't mention Hamill's star turn in Corvette Summer there.....

 

[Wangman Page]

I kind of liked that movie. I saw it many years ago when USA played movies on Friday nights Up all Night with Billy Bob and Gilbert Gottfried.

It was so bad I loved it. Wasn't that movie shot before he had the car crash that he needed the plastic surgery for.

 

[Fuji Vice]

I kind of liked that movie. I saw it many years ago when USA played movies on Friday nights Up all Night with Billy Bob and Gilbert Gottfried.

It was so bad I loved it. Wasn't that movie shot before he had the car crash that he needed the plastic surgery for.

Actually, I liked it too. I made a copy for a friend about a year ago and watched it again. It was quirky but funny, Hamill was pretty likeable but if it wasn't Star Wars people didn't really care back then.

I think it was just before he had to have plastic surgery on his nose.