STAR WARS On Stage: A Guide to Broadway Stars in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Since its initial debut on film screens in 1977, the world of Star Wars has drawn an incalculable number of performers to fill the numerous planets, moons, and spacecraft that are featured across its starry galaxy. In fact, some of the most significant characters in the franchise have been played by Tony Award-winning actors, including James Earl Jones, Sir Alec Guinness, and Ian McDiarmid, to name a few.

With Star Wars Celebration only a week away and the highly anticipated second season of Andor arriving in a few short weeks, we have compiled a list of the most noteworthy Star Wars actors to have graced the Broadway stage over the years.

Check out the guide below, which includes performers from all 11 feature films, The Mandalorian, Andor, and more!

Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)

Though she was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, Carrie Fisher appeared in several Broadway shows, including her autobiographical one-woman Broadway show, Wishful Drinking. She also appeared on Broadway in 1982's Agnes of God, Censored Scenes From King Kong, and the musical comedy Irene.

Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)

Following his appearance in 1977's Star Wars as Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill made his Broadway debut as John Merrick in the original run of The Elephant Man. He went on to appear as Mozart in Amadeus, Tony Hart in Harrigan 'n Hart (for which he received a Drama Desk nomination), and Willum Cubbert in The Nerd. His most recent Broadway credit was in 2003's Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.

James Earl Jones (Darth Vader)

Known for his demanding baritone, Jones starred in countless stage and screen productions throughout his career, including 21 Broadway shows. Jones's Tony Awards include Best Actor in a Play for The Great White Hope (1969) and Fences (1987), as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. He is also among the small group of EGOT winners.

Alec Guinness (Ben Kenobi)

Alec Guiness, who played the iconic role of Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi in the original trilogy, had a substantive career on the stage, appearing in numerous productions, mostly in the UK. Highlights of his career include playing the Fool in King Lear opposite Laurence Olivier, The Cocktail Party (which he also directed), and A Walk in the Woods. He won a Tony Award for 1964's Dylan, his third and final Broadway credit. 

Peter Cushing (Tarkin)

Though largely known for his roles in Hammer horror films, among others, Peter Cushing also worked onstage, making his Broadway debut in the short-lived The Seventh Trumpet in 1941.

Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine)

Ian McDiarmid, who plays the evil Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars, has appeared in numerous stage productions in the UK, including Insignificance (for which he won an Oliver Award, Henry IV, King Lear, and more. He won a Tony Award in 2006 for his sole Broadway credit in the play Faith Healer.

Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)

Williams, who plays the charming and suave Lando Calrissian, began his Broadway career at just age seven in 1945's The Firebrand of Florence. He returned to Broadway in 1960 with The Cool World, also starring A Taste of Honey that same year. In 1976, he appeared in I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King, Jr. Williams' most recent Broadway appearance was in August Wilson's Fences, as a replacement for James Earl Jones in the role of Troy Maxson in 1988.

Michael Carter (Bib Fortuna)

Carter made his Broadway debut in the 1989 Broadway revival of The Merchant of Venice.

Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn)

Among his many screen roles, Liam Neeson has received two Tony nominations for his performances as Matt Burke in the revival of Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie and John Proctor in the 2002 revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. He also portrayed Oscar Wilde in David Hare's The Judas Kiss.

Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

McGregor made his Broadway debut in a 2014 production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, appearing alongside Maggie Gyllenhaal and Cynthia Nixon. His stage credits also include the West End revival of Guys and Dolls, where he played Sky Masterson. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance.

Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala)

Portman's sole Broadway credit came in 1998, when she played the titular role in a production of The Diary of Anne Frank.

Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu)

Jackson has been seen on Broadway in The Piano Lesson and The Mountaintop and Off-Broadway in Burner's Frolic, Burner, District Line, Soldier's Play, Home, Sally, and more. He is currently starring in the screen adaptation of The Piano Lesson, reprising his Tony-nominated role of Doaker Charles from the 2023 revival. 

Terence Stamp (Chancellor Valorum)

Terence Stamp's only Broadway appearance was in 1964, playing the title role in the play Alfie.

Kiera Knightley (Sabé)

Kiera Knightley made her Broadway debut in 2015 with Helen Edmundson's adaptation of Thérèse Raquin at Studio 54.

Rose Byrne (Dormé)

Rose Byrne made her Broadway debut as Alice in the [revival of the play] You Can't Take It With You in 2014. She will next be seen on Broadway in Fallen Angels in spring 2026, starring opposite Kelli O'Hara.

Ayesha Dharker (Queen Jamillia)

Ayesha Dharker appeared in the 2004 musical Bombay Dreams, receiving an Outer Critics Circle nomination for her performance as Rani.

Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa)

On Broadway, Jimmy Smits starred in the 2009 production of God of Carnage and the 2003 production of Anna in the Tropics. He also starred in the 2021 film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights, playing Kevin Rosario.

Genevieve O’Reilly (Mon Mothma)

Genevieve O’Reilly made her Broadway debut in 2018 in Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman, playing the role of Mary Carney, which she first played at The Royal Court Theatre. She has also appeared onstage in Sydney Theatre's The Way of the World, Gate Theatre's The Weir, Richard II at the Old Vic, in 13 at the Royal National Theatre, The Doctors Dilemma, and more. 

Forest Whitaker (Saw Gerrera)

Forest Whitaker made his Broadway debut in 2016 in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's Hughie. Onscreen, he has won several awards, including an Oscar for his performance in The Last King of Scotland.

Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron)

Oscar Isaac's stage credits include Hamlet at The Public Theater, Grace and We Live Here at Manhattan Theatre Club, Beauty of the Father, and more. He made his Broadway debut in 2023 with The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window.

Max Von Sydow (Lor San Tekka)

Max Von Sydow was an accomplished actor, mostly known for his roles in such films as The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Exorcist, and Never Say Never Again. He appeared on Broadway twice: in 1977's The Night of the Tribades and 1981's Duet for One.

Adam Driver (Kylo Ren)

On stage, Adam Driver made his Broadway debut in Mrs. Warren's Profession and subsequently acted in Man and Boy and Burn This, the latter of which earned him a nomination for a Tony Award. Most recently, he returned to the New York stage for the 2024 off-Broadway revival of Hold on to Me Darling.

Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux)

Domhnall Gleeson's sole Broadway credit came in 2006, with the play The Lieutenant of Irishmore. He received a Tony nomination for his performance as the character of Davey.

Lupita Nyong'o (Maz Kanata)

Lupita Nyong'o made her Broadway debut in 2015 in the play Eclipsed (2015), for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. She won a Theatre World Award for her performance.

James McArdle (Niv Lek/Timm Karlo)

James McArdle has played two different characters in the Star Wars franchise, appearing in The Force Awakens and the series Andor. On Broadway, he starred in the New York transfer of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, reprising his role as Louis Ironson from the West End production.

Keri Russell (Zorii Bliss)

On stage, Keri Russell appeared in Neil LaBute's off-Broadway play Fat Pig and made her Broadway debut in the 2019 revival of the Lanford Wilson play Burn This, starring opposite fellow Star Wars alum Adam Driver.

Pedro Pascal (Din Djarin/The Mandalorian)

Pedro Pascal made his Broadway debut as Edmund in the 2019 production of King Lear. 

Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon)

Giancarlo Esposito's career on Broadway has included roles in Lost in the Stars, Seesaw, Sacrilege, and the original production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along. He most recently appeared on Broadway in the 2008 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Bill Burr (Migs Mayfeld)

Bill Burr recently made his Broadway debut in the revival of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, appearing alongside Bob Odenkirk, Kieran Culkin, and Michael McKean.

Alan Tudyk (K-2SO)

Alan Tudyk made his Broadway debut in 1999 in the play Epic Proportions, starring alongside Jeremy Davidson and Kristin Chenoweth. He also starred in Spamalot as Sir Lancelot and in the 2007 revival of Prelude to a Kiss.

Emilia Clarke (Qi'ra)

Emilia Clarke made her Broadway debut as Holly Golightly in the 2013 production of Breakfast at Tiffany's, based on the acclaimed film. She also appeared in the West End revival of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull.

Woody Harrelson (Tobias Beckett)

Woody Harrelson has appeared on Broadway in Biloxi Blues and Roundabout's Broadway revival of The Rainmaker. Other stage credits include Sam Shepherd’s The Late Henry Moss, On An Average Day, Night of the Iguana, and Bullet for Adolf.

Paul Bettany (Dryden Vos)

Paul Bettany portrayed Andy Warhol in The Collaboration, originally at the West End, later transferring to Broadway in 2022. 

Linda Hunt (Lady Proxima)

Linda Hunt appeared on Broadway in Ah, Wilderness! and End of the World, the latter of which earned her a Tony nomination.

Tim Curry (Palpatine)

Though Tim Curry has never appeared onscreen in the Star Wars universe, he lent his voice to the villainous Palpatine in Seasons 5 and 6 of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Curry's Broadway credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Travesties, Amadeus, My Favorite Year, and Spamalot. He has received 3 Tony Award nominations.

Fiona Shaw (Maarva Andor)

Fiona Shaw made her Broadway debut in 2002 with Medea, earning her a Tony nomination. She was also seen in the one-woman play The Testament of Mary, adapted by Colm Tóibín from his novel. 

Kyle Soller (Syril Karn)

Kyle Soller has appeared on Broadway twice, in Cyrano De Bergerac and 2019's The Inheritance.

Denise Gough (Dedra Meero)

Denise Gough appeared in the Broadway transfer of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, reprising her role as Harper Pitt from the West End production. She is the recipient of two Olivier Awards: for Angels in America and People, Places, and Things.

Jude Law (Jod Na Naawood)

Jude Law has been seen on Broadway in Indiscretions and Hamlet, both of which earned him Tony nominations.

Photo Credits: Lucasfilm