Mark Hamill is an actor, voice artist, and writer from the United States. He is most recognized for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars film trilogy. While the actor was awarded for his role in the film, some directors aren’t too fond of casting characters from the Star Wars franchise.
After playing Mozart on Broadway, Mark Hamill auditioned for the role of Mozart in the film adaptation of ‘Amadeus.’ He was turned down because a studio official declared, “I don’t want Luke Skywalker in this film.”
Who is Mark Hamill?
Mark Richard Hamill was born on September 25, 1951, in Oakland, California. His father was a US Navy Captain, while his mother was a homemaker. He grew up with seven siblings, who were all raised in a Catholic home.
Due to the nature of his father’s work, their family would often move. This meant Hamill and the rest of his siblings had to keep switching schools. He attended several schools during his formative years but graduated from the Nike C. Kinnick High School in 1969. He later attended Los Angeles City College and majored in Drama.
His career started off in a recurring role in General Hospital he then appeared in a sitcom called The Texas Wheelers which was canceled shortly after. He also appeared in The Bill Cosby Show, The Partridge Family, Room 222, and One Day at a Time. But the role that truly launched his career was when he played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope. (Source: Film Reference)
Mark Richard Hamill in the Star Wars Franchise
When Robert Englund walked across the hall to audition for a role in Apocalypse Now, he noticed auditions for George Lucas’ Star Wars. He decided after observing the auditions for a time that his friend, Mark Hamill, would be ideal for the character of Luke Skywalker. He advised that Hamill audition for the part. Turns out, Hamill’s agent had already scheduled the audition, which landed him the role.
Mark Hamill is best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, which included Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi. He also reprised his role in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, and the most recent Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Hamill has also made appearances in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. (Source: Hollywood Reporter)
Mark Hamill as the Voice of The Joker
In Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm, New Batman Adventures, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited, Mark Hamill voiced the Joker.
Hamill has also voiced the Joker in Rocksteady’s Arkhamverse games, the film The Killing Joke, DC Universe Online, and Justice League Action. Hamill dubbed Roger Stoneburner’s lines for Joker’s live-action performance in the Birds of Prey show. He also narrated Legends of the Dark Knight: The History of Batman and voiced Tony Zucco in Batman: The Brave and the Bold’s The Batman and the Spectre. (Source: The Mirror)