ACTOR · BORN 1946
Anthony Daniels
- Born
- 21 February 1946
25 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (25)
- #001
Anthony Daniels is one of only two actors, along with Kenny Baker, to appear in all six Star Wars films produced by George Lucas. Daniels also holds the distinction of being the only actor to appear in all nine films that make up the Skywalker Saga, marking him as one of the series' most enduring and indispensable figures.
- #002
Daniels, who brought C-3PO to life, was honored with metal footprints in the forecourt of the famous Chinese Theatre (formerly known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre). The prints are part of the Hollywood tradition of hand and footprints set in concrete for its stars, immortalizing his place in cinema history.
- #003
As C-3PO, Daniels spoke the opening line of 'A New Hope' (1977), the first film in the series to be released, and also voiced the closing line of 'Revenge of the Sith' (2005), the last production George Lucas directed. In doing so, he left his mark on both the beginning and the end of the Star Wars films Lucas directed.
- #004
Over his career, Daniels portrayed the same character, C-3PO, in nine different television series. These include the children's program Sesame Street (1969), the puppet show The Muppet Show (1976), the animated series Star Wars: Droids (1985), Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), Star Wars: Rebels (2014) and Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017), as well as the live-action series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) and Ahsoka (2023). This variety shows how the character has been kept alive across different formats and generations.
- #005
Along with Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams, he is one of three actors to reprise their roles from the original trilogy in the NPR radio adaptations. Daniels, however, is the only one to appear in all three radio dramas; Hamill and Williams were unable to take part in the adaptation of 'Return of the Jedi' (1996). This demonstrates his versatility in voice acting and his commitment to the character.
- #006
The person who suggested Anthony Daniels for the voice of C-3PO was none other than the legendary voice actor Mel Blanc. Blanc, who gave life to iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig, made one of the most important voice-casting choices in Star Wars history with this suggestion.
- #007
Anthony Daniels is the first actor to appear in both a Star Wars film and an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. While playing C-3PO in Star Wars, he voiced Legolas in Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated film The Lord of the Rings. This crossover places him at the intersection of two great fantasy universes; other actors who made the same crossover include Paul Brooke, Christopher Lee, Marton Csokas and Kiran Shah.
- #008
Ironically, Anthony Daniels was never a science fiction fan. The only science fiction film he saw in a cinema was Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), and he was so displeased with it that he left the theater after only ten minutes and asked for his money back. This experience makes his later involvement in a science fiction classic like Star Wars all the more interesting.
- #009
In addition to the nine-part main Star Wars film series, Anthony Daniels voiced C-3PO in the NPR radio adaptations. These adaptations comprise the radio plays 'Star Wars' (1981), 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1983) and 'Return of the Jedi' (1996). The character thus came to life through his voice both on the big screen and on the radio waves.
- #010
Anthony Daniels was born on the same day and in the same country as the famous British actor Alan Rickman. This coincidence stands out as an intriguing detail linking the fates of two talented actors; both gave life to unforgettable characters in their own fields.
- #011
Anthony Daniels portrayed C-3PO in films spanning five different decades, from the 1970s to the 2010s. These films include the original trilogy (1977, 1980, 1983), the prequel trilogy (1999, 2002, 2005), the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), the sequel trilogy (2015, 2019) and the standalone story Rogue One (2016). This long-running performance makes him one of the most enduring character actors in cinema history.
- #012
With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Anthony Daniels became the only actor with lines in every Star Wars film except the two Ewok films. This proves that he has been present in nearly every corner of the series and that C-3PO is an inseparable part of the story.
- #013
Before turning to acting, Anthony Daniels studied law. This academic background shows that he followed a different career path before discovering his passion for the performing arts; law, however, also carried his disciplined and analytical approach into his acting.
- #014
In 1974, Anthony Daniels won the prestigious Carleton Hobbs BBC Radio Award. The award earned him a place in the core company of the BBC Drama Repertory Company and was an important turning point early in his career. This success shows that his voice talent was recognized at a young age.
- #015
Anthony Daniels was a guest of honor at the science fiction convention 'Shadowcon 4' held in Oslo, Norway. This invitation highlights his standing within the science fiction community and the strong bond he has built with fans.
- #016
Anthony Daniels appeared in three films selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as being 'culturally, historically or aesthetically' significant: 'A New Hope', 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi'. These films are among the works of American cinema heritage deemed worthy of preservation, and Daniels's contribution to them cements his place in cinema history.
- #017
Anthony Daniels's brief C-3PO appearance in the first episode of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series (2022) came exactly 45 years after the character first appeared in 'A New Hope' (1977). This cameo is both an emotional moment for fans and proof of the character's endurance.
- #018
Anthony Daniels is the only actor to appear in every Star Wars film released in theaters in the United States. This unique achievement emphasizes his identification with the series and the indispensability of C-3PO.
- #019
Despite his fame from Star Wars, Anthony Daniels still recalls with embarrassment a temporary job he held as a young man demonstrating a small device in a store. The job involved coating cloths with dirt and then magically cleaning them; he felt people watched him as if witnessing a traffic accident and found himself slipping into cabaret patter, saying things like 'Did I rub you the wrong way?' This memory shows his humble beginnings and his sense of humor.
- #020
When Anthony Daniels auditioned for the role of C-3PO in November 1975, he was initially not very interested in the part. But when he saw Ralph McQuarrie's concept design of the golden droid, he was deeply moved by the character's sorrowful expression and became fully committed to the role. This design became the turning point of his career.
- #021
Anthony Daniels was born the son of a plastics company executive. His father's success in business gave him the opportunity for a good education, but he discovered a passion for the performing arts and chose a different path.
- #022
Anthony Daniels left university in 1974 and joined the Drama Society, winning a BBC Radio Award. After hundreds of radio productions he moved into theatre and soon joined the National Theatre of Great Britain at the Young Vic. While appearing in Tom Stoppard's 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead', he was offered a meeting with George Lucas about a science fiction film; that meeting would change his life.
- #023
Alongside acting, Anthony Daniels also hosts and produces commercial events and conferences. This work shows that he applies his communication skills and stage experience in other fields as well.
- #024
After being educated at Giggleswick School, Anthony Daniels studied law at university for two years. Encouraged by his teacher John Law, he joined amateur theatre and then gave up law to attend Rose Bruford College. This decision laid the foundation of his acting career.
- #025
Anthony Daniels's theatre career includes appearing in plays such as 'PS Your Cat Is Dead' and 'Dangerous Corner'. These theatre experiences helped him develop his acting ability and paved the way for his later success in film and television.
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