Anthony Daniels ( AN-tə-nee; born 21 February 1946) is a British actor and mime artist, best known for playing C-3PO in 11 Star Wars films, from Star Wars (1977) to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He wore… Anthony Daniels ( AN-tə-nee; born 21 February 1946) is a British actor and mime artist, best known for playing C-3PO in 11 Star Wars films, from Star Wars (1977) to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He wore the costume and voiced his character in the films and several animated television series. Initially, Daniels did not want to play a robotic character, however Ralph McQuarrie's first concept painting of C-3PO and R2-D2 on Tatooine evoked empathy from him.
For nearly 50 years, Daniels has held the distinction of being the only actor to have either appeared in or been involved with all theatrical films in the series. He has been involved in many of their spin-offs, including television series, video games, and radio serials. His other roles included CZ-3 in Star Wars, Tak in Solo: A Star Wars Story and more. Daniels also portrayed C-3PO in several commercials, non-canon films, including The Lego Movie, and non-canon television shows, including The Muppet Show. Outside the films, he has narrated and hosted some documentaries (starting off with the 1977 television special, The Making of Star Wars and later Science of Star Wars). Daniels (as C-3PO) has also narrated some documentaries retelling the films. He has hosted several events, including Star Wars: In Concert, since 2009. Daniels has recounted the challenges he faced while filming Star Wars in Tunisia in several documentaries, including Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy. His involvement in the franchise and association with his character from meeting film director George Lucas in November 1975 to wrapping up on The Rise of Skywalker has been detailed in his 2019 memoirs, I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story.
Prior to his involvement in the franchise, Daniels appeared in several theatrical productions, including Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. He voiced Legolas in Ralph Bakshi's animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings (1978). He has appeared intermittently on British television in various dramas, including playing a pathologist in Prime Suspect starring Helen Mirren and Colonel Donald Humphries in Holby City. Daniels was an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center.
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