Useless but essential pop culture tidbits and trivia from the worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror that will not keep a Wookie from tearing your arms from their sockets.
Almost every Science Fiction and Fantasy fan recognizes the name of Anthony Daniels, the actor who played and voiced the droid C-3PO in all six Star Wars movies. But did you know that Daniels has actually made an entire career from this one character?
Daniels first came to the attention of sci fi fans (even though they never saw his face) when he donned the metal costume of C-3PO in the first Star Wars film in 1977. His distinctive voice and unique injections of personality into the droid made C-3PO an endearing character that fans would love in the decades that would follow. Daniels would stay with the character throughout the first trilogy of movies (or second from George Lucas’ perspective) and then reprise his role in the prequel trilogy of films. But he has done much more with C-3PO since he first fused with the character back in 1977. In 1978, he appeared on television as C-3PO in the ill-advised Star Wars Holiday Special (more on that at this link) and he reprised the role in the Star Wars radio serial that aired on NPR in 1981 (you can read our review of that at this link). He would also voice the character in the radio adaptations of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He continued with his voice work on the 80’s animated TV series Droids which centered on the adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2 and then once again lent his voice for the CGI-animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie and subsequent TV series. He also appeared on the holiday album Christmas in the Stars (where Bon Jovi delivered his first professional recording, and you can read more about that at this link) and showed up in the Star Tours rides in the Disney theme parks. And he is set to return to the character once again in the promised live action Star Wars TV series that may hit the small screen sometime in the next few years.
Apart from C-3PO, Daniels has had a few other roles, most notable for genre fans being his voicing of Legolas in Ralph Bakshi’s animated treatment of Lord of the Rings in 1978. He has also had some guest starring roles on British television and some low budget movies, but fans know him best and he has dedicated much of his career to the cowardly golden-rod droid we all know so well.
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