Mark Hamill’s most iconic roles (that aren’t Luke Skywalker from Star Wars)

As a lifelong fan and admirer of Mark Hamill, I must say that his career has been nothing short of extraordinary! From Luke Skywalker to the Joker, he has truly showcased an unparalleled range and versatility as an actor.

Following my investigation, it’s clear that Mark Hamill has been quite active in his career. Despite the criticism he receives for being involved in numerous subpar films and TV shows since portraying Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, he continues to work diligently. He’s not just surviving, but thriving, ensuring that life goes on for him.

In this article, let’s delve into Hamill’s beloved characters aside from Luke Skywalker, as I pondered over various approaches to explore when initially drafting this piece. The interpretation of “iconic” plays a crucial role in each method I considered.

There are three common ways to use this term:

I’ll examine the initial roles Hamill adopted to establish the acting style he’d later apply to Luke Skywalker, complete with that endearing farm boy sincerity we’re familiar with. Moreover, I’ll consider the roles where he flipped this style upside down for a dramatic impact. This versatile performance demonstrates Hamill’s talent and wisdom; he understood that leveraging people’s recollections of Luke would create a shocking effect when he portrayed darker characters.

Before delving into his legendary roles, it’s important to acknowledge the less glamorous performances Mark Hamill has offered throughout his career. It’s undeniable that Hamill has appeared in a multitude of television shows and films that fans might prefer not to count. Not only are these productions questionable in quality, but Hamill’s performances within them often fall short of expectation. For instance, his portrayal of the character “Divine Rod” Petrie in the ill-fated TV series “Son of the Beach” (2000-2002) and his interpretation of Ned Irons in “V.I.P.” (2001), show a peculiar blend of innocence and creepiness, sincerity and wickedness, giving a stellar performance one moment and phoning it in the next. It’s no surprise these shows are not well-known or remembered, and if I may offer my opinion, it might be best to let them stay that way. Re-watching them for this article was a cringe-worthy experience that makes one ponder the evolution of entertainment as a whole.

In my investigation for this article, focusing solely on Hamill’s highest-rated performances would not fully live up to the “iconic” expectation. While many of the films listed positively on his IMDb profile are mildly appreciated, such as the 1999 film “Walking Across Egypt,” where Hamill portrays a dogcatcher with a questionable southern accent. Watching “Walking Across Egypt” resembles the color beige – neither exciting nor disappointing, quite commonplace for its era. In IMDb terms, it would rate around 7.5/10.

We didn’t come here for that, and we won’t disappoint. After all, we’ve promised you something legendary, and that’s exactly what we’ll give you. Shall we begin by exploring the early acting gigs that set Hamill’s career in motion?

Mark Hamill’s early days

The iconic film, “Star Wars: A New Hope,” was released on May 25, 1977, and it was through this movie that young cinema enthusiasts met Luke Skywalker for the first time. This marked the beginning of an unwavering fandom for the Star Wars franchise that has continued to flourish over the years. But one may wonder, how did Mark Hamill secure his role in the film? Let’s delve into how he climbed the ranks to become our beloved Luke Skywalker.

To address that query, let’s journey back a full five years to the year 1972 – the time when Hamill secured his initial consistent role on a television series. This wasn’t just any show, but rather an iconic soap opera of our contemporary era: General Hospital. Indeed, before Hamill portrayed Luke Skywalker, he was none other than Kent Murray, the offspring of Nurse Jessie Brewer in the fictional town of Port Charles, New York. Brewer was played by actress Emily McLaughlin, a founding cast member on the show since its debut in 1963. Regrettably, there is no preserved footage of Kent Murray, but we do have this precious clip from the Daytime Soap Awards in 2003, where Hamill warmly discussed the influence General Hospital has had on the careers of many actors.

As a gaming enthusiast reminiscing about an iconic actor’s early roles, I can’t forget Mark Hamill’s appearances in two made-for-TV movies: “Eric” (1975) and “The City” (1977). In “Eric,” Hamill breathed life into the character of Paul Swensen, the younger brother of Eric Swensen, the story’s lead. Diagnosed with a terminal illness at the peak of his sports career potential, young Eric left an indelible mark on Paul, just as Luke Skywalker’s fate touched my young heart in “Star Wars.” One unforgettable scene from this movie showcases Hamill’s budding talent, echoing the earnestness that would later define Luke. When Paul Swensen leapt from his brother’s car in despair upon hearing of Eric’s illness, it felt like watching a young Luke fleeing his Uncle Owen on Tatooine, where he grew up.

Simultaneously in “The City”, a film that premiered four months prior to “Star Wars”, we witness Mark Hamill in a complex role. He portrays Eugene Banks, a tormented young man who contemplates murdering a well-known country singer upon discovering he is Banks’ absent father. Despite the movie being mediocre overall, Hamill’s performance as a troubled outcast pushed to his limits is compelling. In scenes where he grips his almost talismanic knife, one can imagine Luke Skywalker experimenting with his first lightsaber, albeit Hamill’s eyes seem more wild when embodying Banks.

Man on the Edge

After the advent of “Star Wars”, Hamill became synonymous with Luke Skywalker for a decade. As the excitement surrounding “Star Wars” subsided, Hamill needed to seek other opportunities. Many of the roles he took during this period seemed like attempts to capitalize on his newfound fame. However, Hamill avoided being typecast as a space wizard and landed another memorable role. This was as Danny Carlyle in the “Man On The Edge” episode of the “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” TV series, which aired on the USA Network in 1987. In this role, Hamill flipped the energy he had as Luke Skywalker on its head.

Throughout nearly the entire 20-minute segment, Hamill’s character is portrayed as Steve, a distraught widower considering suicide following his wife’s demise. This distressing situation catches the eye of the police, who send their top psychologist to try and talk him back from the ledge. However, it’s later revealed that Steve, in reality, is Danny Carlyle, who had been manipulating the situation to draw the psychologist up to the edge. In a shocking twist, Danny then pushes the psychologist off the building, a man he believes responsible for his wife’s death. The scene ends abruptly with a blackout, leaving viewers under the impression that Steve is the victim throughout the episode. However, this image of a sympathetic character is shattered when Danny’s ruthless side emerges, transforming him into the calculating and vengeful Danny.

As a devotee, I can express that diving into “Man on the Edge” afforded me the chance to witness Hamill’s versatility and solidify the belief that he could still embody complex, edgy characters like Eugene Banks – reminiscent of his pre-Star Wars years. Despite his global recognition as the morally upright Luke Skywalker, this malevolent portrayal paved the way for the most memorable role of his later career.

The voice behind the world’s most famous villain

I’ll tell you something I bet you didn’t know: Mark Hamill voices nearly every animated version of The Joker you’ve heard since 1992. It’s his best yet most hidden role, especially for those of us who are used to seeing him only in a live-action context. From Batman: The Animated Series (1992) to Rocksteady’s Arkhamverse video games (2009, 2011, 2015) all the way up through Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three (2024) and the Super Smash Bros-like Multiversus Joker DLC (2024), Hamill has been crushing it as the Joker for decades, obliterating any claim that he’s nothing but a one-hit Force-sensitive wonder.

Hamill imparts a delightfully eerie quality to the Clown Prince of Crime, a trait essential for portraying him at his finest. Hamill is celebrated by fans as the quintessential vocalist for the Joker, standing alongside Heath Ledger, who is frequently hailed as the villain’s most iconic live-action performer. His chilling laughter, unconventional plotting, and tone that provokes both amusement and apprehension among audiences globally are all thanks to Hamill, a role he has mastered for over 30 years.

The question arises as to whether Mark Hamill’s portrayal of the Joker may have an outsized impact on his legacy compared to his iconic role in Star Wars as Luke Skywalker. Although he will forever be synonymous with Star Wars, the enthusiasm and dedication he has shown in embodying the Joker suggest a deep-seated passion for the character that continues to draw him back, and keeps fans eagerly awaiting his next appearance.

The next occasion when the Joker appears animated might just be Hamill hiding behind the scenes, once more delivering a stunning performance and relishing every second of it.

Jim the Vampire

If you’re someone who misses seeing Hamill on-screen since he mainly works as a voice actor from the early 2000s, then I have an exciting piece of information for you. One of Hamill’s most memorable roles, a character in a popular TV show created by one of my favorite comedians – Jemaine Clement, known for his work on Flight of the Concords. Indeed, it’s about What We Do in the Shadows.

In the 2020 episode “On the Run,” Hamill’s portrayal of the character “Jim the Vampire” beautifully encapsulates his legendary career, leaving behind any less impressive television work he’s done in the past. Jim the Vampire acknowledges Hamill’s past and delivers an extraordinary, humorous performance that exceeds all expectations for a 73-year-old Mark Hamill. While his role is currently limited to just one episode, I eagerly anticipate a potential return in the future. This role embodies everything I could ever hope for from a seasoned actor like Hamill and more.

Bonus: The Commercials

If you want a few more looks at Mark Hamill throughout his career but don’t feel like pulling out your VCR or surfing YouTube, just have a look at his appearances in commercials over the years. They’ve got him in all his modes. Earnest young man in a Kodak commercial. Weird, overly-serious middle-aged Jedi in a grocery store. He’s even doing the comedy thing for Uber Eats in a gem of a series of funny spots alongside Star Trek’s Sir Patrick Stewart.

Dear Mark Hamill, we appreciate your incredible contributions to the world of strange, amusing, and sometimes terrifying on-screen performances! Cheers to you!

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2024-10-20 16:42