Can You Guess the Real Names of These Star Wars Characters?

ENTERTAINMENT

By: Mark Laufgraben

6 Min Quiz

Image: Lucasfilm

About This Quiz

Since the original film's opening in 1977, fans all over the world have let their imaginations carry them to a time long ago, in a galaxy far, far away. It's easy- and tempting- to ascribe the films' successes to the single man who created them, George Lucas. The truth, though, is far more complicated: Star Wars was a labor of love that transcended any one individual, and was the result of many people working in concert to produce an extraordinary, legendary whole. 

And among those many people, none more capture the imagination of the viewers than the actors! These disparate players come from as many different backgrounds as there were people: from a young Mark Hamill crashing on his friend's couch, to Hollywood royalty by birth Carrie Fisher, to classically trained Alec Guinness all the way down to not-so-humble carpenter Harrison Ford. These people -- and so many more -- brought the words on the pages of the scripts to life, and it is they who live eternally in our memories. They breathed life into the characters, transforming them from lines in a script into living, breathing *people*, and it is they more than anything else that brought our dreams to life.

You know you're a Star Wars fan. Deep inside, everyone is! But can you recognize these actors and give them the names they bear in this galaxy? We'll be here to Master Yoda you along if you need a little bit of help here and there. Turn off your targeting computer, and MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Who below is known as Luke Skywalker?

The young Mark Hamill was crashing on his friend Robert Englund's couch when his big break came, although he had no idea how big Star Wars would become! Besides his role as Luke, Mark is also well-loved for his portrayal of Batman's nemesis, the Joker.

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Which of these actors played Obi-Wan Kenobi?

Ewan McGregor's first claim to fame was with his (cinematic) brush with heroin addiction in the British drama "Trainspotting," and he also was well-liked in his turn at song in the movie version of "Moulin Rouge!" His Obi-Wan, of course, is embraced by fans, many of whom are clamoring for him to star rumored new Star Wars film based around that character.

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Who here is remembered for being Princess Leia?

Daughter of the famous actor Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher seemed destined for greatness. Her role as Princess Leia was her most famous, but she lived a colorful enough real life to easily equal her on-screen adventures. Carrie only recently passed at the end of 2016, but her presence is still with us, particularly with her final film, "The Last Jedi."

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Which player here was Padme Amidala?

Believe it or not, when Natalie Portman first played Padme Amidala, she was actually still in high school! Portman is not her real last name, either- she actually has the last name Hershlag, and used Portman as a way to protect her privacy and that of her family.

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Who here was the indomitable Han Solo?

First discovered by George Lucas while working as a carpenter, it was his early work in Lucas's "American Graffiti" that opened the door for him to play the galaxy's most famous smuggler, Han Solo.

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Who here is remembered as Anakin Skywalker in Episodes II-III?

Forever famous for his role as Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen has mostly stayed out of the spotlight since his character's two movies. He currently owns and is learning to run a farm, while releasing a line of clothing inspired by his life on that farm.

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Which actor here was Anakin Skywalker in episode I?

Jake Lloyd, the actor who played Young Anakin, has been facing a great deal of adversity in his personal life. Bullying prompted him to quit acting, he eventually dropped out of college, and has been since diagnosed with schizophrenia.

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Which of these actors played Lando Calrissian?

Billy Dee Williams had a meteoric rise to stardom: growing up poor in Harlem, he eventually became famous in the so-called "Blaxploitation" genre. This gave him the exposure he needed to break into the mainstream, which he did as the fantastic Lando Calrissian in "The Empire Strikes Back!"

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Who here was Qui-Gon Jinn?

Thought of by many as "merely" an action actor, Liam Neeson has accumulated a Best Actor Oscar nomination, and has also worked on the stage in "Of Mice and Men" and of course his breakout role as Oskar Schindler in "Schindler's List."

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Which of these people portrayed Chewbacca, the Wookie?

Although he is best known as the great-hearted Wookie, Peter Mayhew, who once stood as tall as 7'3'', is also known for having written books for kids describing his experiences growing up unusually tall. He hopes to use these as a way to combat bullying and promote understanding.

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Who below plays C-3PO?

Anthony Daniels is notable for being the only original Star Wars actor to have a role in every single Star Wars film! Besides Star Wars he also acted in "I Bought A Vampire Motorcycle," where he played the role of "Priest".

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Who here is the gentleman who played R2-D2?

Kenny Baker's beginning in the entertainment business saw him working as one of a group of little people at a circus. He eventually started a comedy group, and eventually was selected by Lucas himself to play R2. He actually had a bit of a real-life feud with Anthony Daniels, mirroring their characters in the films.

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Who played Obi-Wan in the original Star Wars films?

Alec Guinness's greatest role was actually in "Bridge on the River Kwai," for which he won an Oscar for Best Actor. A famed personage of stage and screen, he was actually probably the best known actor in the original Star Wars ensemble, and his turn as Obi-Wan got him a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

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Who here played the terrifying Emperor Palpatine?

A famous Shakespearian actor, Ian McDiarmid has long trod the boards of stage and screen, featuring in 47 separate films! His best known work, however, remains his role as the monstrous Emperor Palpatine and his alter ego, the senator from Naboo.

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Who below left us laughing as Jar-Jar Binks?

Ahmed Best did not only the voice of Jar-Jar, but also was used via motion-capture to do his movement, too! Besides his work in cinema, he is also an accomplished Jazz musician, and featured in the dance musical group Stomp.

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Who below provided the deep baritone of Darth Vader?

Known for his great talent, dedication and versatility, James Earl Jones has reached iconic status thanks to his role as Darth Vader. As a child, he actually had a stutter, and it was only through careful work through practicing poetry, public speech and acting that he was eventually able to overcome it.

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Who here gained fame in the role of Jedi Master Yoda?

Frank Oz did not merely provide the voice for Yoda, but he is also an accomplished puppeteer who controlled the wizened Jedi Master as well. He also acted as puppeteer for numerous characters on "The Muppet Show," including Miss Piggy and Fozzie!

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Which actor here played the malevolent Count Dooku?

Christopher Lee was many things in his life- a soldier in WW2, a heavy metal musician, a singer, a knight, and yes, a user of the dark side of the Force in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones." Unlike many people here, Star Wars was but one step on his long and glorious road in the entertainment industry.

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Who of these thespians played Shmi Skywalker?

Pernilla August is a famous Swedish actress, and her role as Shmi Skywalker was only a small part of her career, which included work as a director, writer and Shakespearean actor. She was Ophelia in a production of Hamlet! Not bad for an impoverished woman from Tatooine....

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Who here played the wheezing General Grievous?

Matthew Wood's chief career is actually not a voice actor at all, but rather a sound editor! He originally began his involvement with the Star Wars universe as something very different, too; a video game tester at Lucasarts!

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Who below played Dark Lord Snoke and Watto?

Winner of multiple Academy Awards, Andy Serkis is known for his extraordinary voice acting and ability to use motion capture to bring computer-generated characters to life. His virtuosity is on display here, as Watto and Supreme Leader Snoke are nothing alike!

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Which one of these actors played capable bounty hunter Jango Fett?

Temuera Morrison brought his New Zealand accent and acting aplomb to the role of Jango Fett, investing what could have been a one-note character with a certain gravitas. Not only did he voice Jango, but he got to voice his clones, too!

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Who played Senator Bail Organa?

Jimmy Smits is actually literally named Jimmy- that's the name on his birth certificate! He's known more for being a television actor, and has had important roles on "LA Law," "NYPD Blue," and the "West Wing."

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Who played the monstrous Grand Moff Tarkin?

With a long and storied career in Hollywood, it's easy to look at the stoic Tarkin and think of Peter Cushing as the kind of actor who takes themselves too seriously, but in reality a great deal of his fame came from playing in a slew of horror movies! He played vampire hunter Van Helsing no less than five times!

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Who played hapless Trade Federation honcho Nute Gunray?

Silas Carson has had many small roles in his work for the BBC, and has also gained some acclaim for his role in "Dr. Who." He is still best known for his turn as the hapless Trade Federation patsy, Nute Gunray, though!

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Who did the physical acting for the majestic Darth Vader?

At a towering 6'6'', David Prowse cuts an imposing figure, which he used to great effect in his portrayal of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader. People think of James Earl Jones, but the fact is that the character would not be complete without the brilliant, imposing physicality that Prowse embodies in his performance.

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Who played the ever-helpful Sio Bibble of Naboo?

Oliver Ford Davies plays not only Sio Bibble in the prequels, but also the character of Cressen in "Game of Thrones," which leads one to the humorous conclusion that he may in fact be typecast as a "political advisor" character! Nice work if you can get it!

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Who was the ill-fated Owen Lars in the prequels?

Although his role in the prequels was small, Joel Edgerton is actually a multi-talented Australian writer, producer, actor and director, who has been in such films as "Exodus: Gods and Kings" and "The Great Gatsby!"

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Who here was Beru Lars in the prequels?

Besides her role as Beru Lars in the Star Wars prequels, Bonnie Piesse may find her fortunes turning toward the small screen as the TV show she was on, "Last Man Standing," was just uncanceled by FOX!

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Who was cast as Owen Lars in the original trilogy?

Phil Brown was a character actor who played many small roles throughout a long career. He struggled with being added to the Hollywood blacklist, despite not actually being a Communist. Though a small role, he nonetheless will always be remembered by Star Wars fans for his performance as the irascible Owen Lars.

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Who here played the original Aunt Beru?

Shelagh Fraser had many parts in film, but she is remembered for her role as the original Aunt Beru, kind but doomed aunt to a young Luke Skywalker. Her voice was even used again in the 2017 cartoon "Star Wars: Rebels!"

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Who played the insidious Darth Maul?

Ray Park was known for his role as the menacing, acrobatic dark lord of the sith known as Darth Maul. Beyond that, he has worked as a stunt double, as well as won numerous martial arts tournaments!

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Who below voiced beloved Star Wars icon Dexter Jettster?

Although a relatively minor player in "Attack of the Clones," Ron Falk is actually an extremely accomplished Australian theater actor, who has continued stage acting even up to the age of 80!

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Who played as the brilliant strategist Jan Dodonna?

Alex McCrindle

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Who here played Biggs Darklighter, ace pilot?

Garrick Hagon has been featured in many films, although Star Wars fans remember him best for his role as Luke's wingman, Red 3, aka Biggs Darklighter. Biggs initially had a bigger part, but it was sadly cut to make the early part of the film flow better.

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Who here played mysterious scavenger Rey?

Daisy Ridley has 32 film credits to her name already, but she will be forever recognized as her role as jedi prodigy Rey in the new Star Wars sequels. Besides her acting chops, she is an accomplished dancer and singer!

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Who here voiced the monstrous Jabba the Hutt?

Larry Ward, the voice of Jabba the Hutt, was not merely an experienced voice actor, but actually a linguist who devised Huttese, the fake language spoken by Jabba! It is inspired by the Peruvian tongue, Quecha.

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Who below plays rebel stormtrooper Finn in Star Wars?

An English actor, John Boyega garnered international attention through his role in "Attack the Block." This sci-fi comedy film would show off both his talents in an action context and his sense of humor, both of which would serve him well as the hapless hero Finn.

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Who plays rebel flyboy Poe Dameron?

Oscar Isaac has gained a huge following from his role as Poe Dameron, but his most critically acclaimed film has to be Inside Llewelyn Davis, a Coen brothers film about a fictional folk singer.

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And finally, who plays the new Dark Lord, Kylo Ren?

Adam Driver actually gained fame through his recurring role in HBO's "Girls," as a character who couldn't be further than Kylo Ren! His background helped him make up the difference between the two characters, though -- he was in the Marines!

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