Did you know... (Little tidbits about our favorite actor!)

... that Mark's older son, Nathan, was born in England during the filming of The Empire Strikes Back? When he was born, the publicist for ESB sent out a press released in which Mark was quoted as saying, "So now I have a little English son. God save the Queen."

... that Mark's younger son Griffin was born in San Francisco, when Mark was touring with the Broadway company of Amadeus?

... that Mark's character on GH, Kent Murray, was written out by being sent to military school?

... that Mark starred in the original pilot for the hit show, Eight is Enough?

... that Mark did a voiceover for The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition? His line is "The first transport is away! The first transport is away!" during the evacuation of Hoth!

... that Mark had to learn various martial arts, as well as fencing, in order to perform the famous lightsaber duel in The Empire Strikes Back?

... that Mark had to do multiple takes of the scene in Yoda's hut where Luke hits his dead on Yoda's ceiling? Mark later said, "I don't have several small bumps, just one big one."

... that for months, Mark was literally the only human actor on call for the scenes on Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back? He had to act with a puppet, a robot, and an assortment of lizards and snakes (one of which bit him)...

... that during the filming of the pivotal "I am your father" scene in ESB, only two people present at the filming knew the true line? Mark and the director, Irvin Kershner, were the only ones present at the filming who knew the actual dialogue. David Prowse, the man who played Darth Vader, was given the line, "No, Obi-Wan killed your father," in order to prevent any leaks to the press about the surprise twist!

... that when Mark was filming a guest appearance for the show, "The Flash," his cape got caught in one of the giant fans and nearly strangled him? Yikes! (thanks Skya for this tidbit!)

... that the "Amazing Stories" episode he starred in, entitled "Gather Ye Acorns" was originally meant to star Tom Cruise? Aren't we glad Mark won the part? :-) (thanks again, Skya!)

... that when Mark and Carrie Fisher were told about their characters' "true" relationship, the producers set them aside and called them into a room to tell them the "secret" and their reaction was a joint, "Ewww!" (kind of sheds a new light on that kiss in ESB, eh? ;-))

... that contrary to popular belief, Mark does not say, "Carrie!" to Princess Leia in ANH after he destroys the Death Star. He was saying, "Hey!" (listen closely: he also says "Hey!" to Han immediately after!)

Got some more Mark facts? Then drop me a line!!

The Mark Hamill Factor Game

If you're familiar with the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game, this is a version of it invented by my friend, Jedi Mistress :-). The goal of the game is to make the connection between any actor and Mark in less than six degrees! Try it!

How is Mark related to these actors:

• John Goodman
• Richard Mulligan
• Penny Marshall
• Bruce Willis
• Patrick Stewart

• Jim Carrey

  From JediMistress: played with Ed Harris in "Truman Show", who played with Bill Paxton in "Apollo 13", who played with Mark in "Slipstream"

  from Jessica: played Batman Forever with Tommy Lee Jones, who was in "The Fugitive" with Harrison Ford, who was in "Star Wars" with Mark

• Drew Barrymore:

  From JediMistress: played in "ET" for Spielberg, who did the Indy movies with Harrison who played with Mark in Star Wars

  From Jessica: played in "Batman Forever" with Tommy Lee Jones, who was in the Fugitive with Harrison Ford, who was in "Star Wars" with Mark

• Meg Ryan

  From me: did "When Harry Met Sally" with Carrie Fisher, who did "Star Wars" with Mark

  From Jessica: did "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks, who did "Apollo 13" with Bill Paxton, who did "Slipstream" with Mark

• Robin Williams

  From JediMistress: did "Hook" with Steven Spielberg, who did the Indy movies with Harrison who played with Mark in Star Wars

  From Jessica: did "Good Will Hunting" with Matt Damon, who did "Courage Under Fire" with Meg Ryan, who did "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks, who did "Apollo 13" with Bill Paxton, who did "Slipstream" with Mark

Got the answer? Drop me a line! I'll post your answers!

Mark Quotes

Quotes from Mark and about Mark...

"People ask me, 'How can you stay married for so long?' My advice is two words -- don't cheat!"

--Mark, on what makes a successful Hollywood marriage (ain't he a sweetie? Family man to the core!!)

"I have this knack for picking franchises that go back in time"

--Mark, on the fact that both the Star Wars and Wing Commander franchises went back in time with "prequel" movies

"Are you the skinny guy in the gold robot suit?"

--what a fan said to Mark once, when she mistook him for Anthony Daniels, who played Threepio

"I assumed it would easily be as successful as Planet of the Apes."

--Mark on his initial thoughts on how successful Star Wars would be before it was released

"I hope they tweak our performances."

--Mark's joke when George Lucas told him he would be re-releasing the original trilogy with enhanced scenes

"If [George Lucas] asked me to mow his lawn, I'd think long and hard about it."

--Mark on how he'd do anything for George Lucas, with whom he is still very close

"At the end there was Mark and one other actor--a guy who was a little older, more collegiate looking. He wore glasses, seemed more studious, was a bit more of a thinker. He would have put Luke more in the twenty-five year old category. He was more of a college student's idea of a hero, more like Kurt in American Grafitti. Mark was younger, more idealistic, more naive, more hopeful, and a little more Disneyesque. The other boy was a mite more hip. I decided to go with the Disney type."

--George Lucas on how he decided to go with Mark for the role of Luke (and aren't we forever grateful he picked the right guy? :-))