Anthony Daniels is one of only two actors, along with Kenny Baker, to appear in all six Star Wars films made by George Lucas. But Daniels also holds the distinction of being the only actor to appear in all nine films that make up the Skywalker Saga. This shows that he is one of the saga's most enduring and indispensable figures.
Daniels, who brought the character C-3PO to life, was honored with metal footprints in the forecourt of the famous Chinese Theatre (formerly known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre). As part of the Hollywood tradition of hand and footprints in concrete slabs reserved for its stars, these prints immortalize his place in cinema history.
As C-3PO, Daniels spoke the opening line in 'A New Hope' (1977), the first film in the series to be released, and also delivered the closing line in 'Revenge of the Sith' (2005), the last production George Lucas directed. In this way, he left his mark on both the beginning and the end of the Star Wars films Lucas directed.
Over the course of his career, Daniels played the same character (C-3PO) in nine different television series. These productions 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 demonstrates how the character has been kept alive across different formats and generations.
Along with Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams, he is one of three actors from the original trilogy to reprise their roles in the NPR radio adaptations. But Daniels 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 shows his versatility in voice acting and his dedication to the character.
The person who suggested Anthony Daniels for the voice of C-3PO was none other than the legendary voice actor Mel Blanc. As the man who brought iconic characters such as Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig to life, Blanc made one of the most important voice-casting decisions in Star Wars history with this suggestion.
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.
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 dissatisfied with it that he left the theater after only ten minutes and asked for his money back. This experience makes it all the more interesting that he would later appear in a science fiction classic like Star Wars.
In addition to the nine-part main Star Wars film series, Anthony Daniels also voiced C-3PO in the NPR radio adaptations. These adaptations include the radio plays 'Star Wars' (1981), 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1983) and 'Return of the Jedi' (1996). Thus the character came to life through his voice both on the big screen and on the radio waves.
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 interesting detail linking the fates of two talented actors; both brought unforgettable characters to life in their own fields.
Anthony Daniels played the character 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 spin-off Rogue One (2016). This long-running performance makes him one of the most enduring character actors in cinema history.
With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Anthony Daniels became the only actor with dialogue in every Star Wars film except the two Ewok films. This proves that he has been present in almost every corner of the series and that C-3PO is an inseparable part of the story.
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; yet law also carried his disciplined and analytical approach into his acting.
In 1974, Anthony Daniels won the prestigious Carleton Hobbs BBC Radio Award. This 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.
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.
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 these productions cements his place in cinema history.
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's first appearance in 'A New Hope' (1977). This cameo is both an emotional moment for fans and a testament to the character's enduring presence.
Anthony Daniels is the only actor to appear in every Star Wars film released in theaters in the United States. This unique achievement underscores his identification with the series and the indispensability of C-3PO.
Despite his fame from Star Wars, Anthony Daniels still recalls with embarrassment a temporary job he held in his youth as a demonstrator of small devices in a store. The job involved coating cloths with dirt and then magically cleaning them; he felt people watched him as if observing 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.
Anthony Daniels, who auditioned for the role of C-3PO in November 1975, was initially not very interested in the part. However, 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.
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; however, he discovered his passion for the performing arts and chose a different path.
After leaving university in 1974, Anthony Daniels won a BBC Radio Prize and joined the Drama Society. After hundreds of radio productions, he moved into theater and soon joined the National Theatre of Great Britain at the Young Vic. While performing in Tom Stoppard's 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,' he received an offer to meet with George Lucas about a science fiction film; that meeting would change his life.
In addition to acting, Anthony Daniels also hosts and produces commercial events and conferences. This work shows that he applies his communication skills and stage experience in different fields as well.
After being educated at Giggleswick School, Anthony Daniels studied law at university for two years. Encouraged by his teacher John Law, he joined amateur theater and then dropped law to attend Rose Bruford College. This decision laid the foundation for his acting career.
Anthony Daniels's theater career includes appearing in plays such as 'PS Your Cat Is Dead' and 'Dangerous Corner.' These theater experiences helped him develop his acting talent and paved the way for his later success in film and television.