Mark Hamill Biography: Mark Richard Hamill born September 25, 1951 is an American actor, best known for his iconic role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga and as the voice of the Joker in numerous animated DC Comics projects, beginning with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. During the 1980s, Hamill worked to separate himself from his Star Wars persona by pursuing a career in theatre.
Mark Hamill Biography
Mark Hamill is most widely recognized for his iconic role as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983). He later reprised the role in the sequel trilogy, appearing in Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017), and Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Beyond Star Wars, Hamill appeared in films such as Corvette Summer (1978), The Big Red One (1980), and had a notable role in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014). In addition to his live-action work, Hamill is celebrated for his prolific voice acting career, particularly his acclaimed and long-running portrayal of the Joker, which began with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992.
Mark Hamill Biography 2025 Details
Born |
Mark Richard Hamill
September 25, 1951 Oakland, California, U.S.
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Alma mater | Los Angeles City College (AA) |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1970–present |
Category | Singers Bio |
Spouse |
Marilou York
(m. 1978) |
Children | 3 |
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About Mark Hamill
Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor. He is best known for starring as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, and the Joker in various animated DC Comics projects, starting with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992.
Mark Hamill Achievements
He appeared in several Broadway productions, including The Elephant Man, Amadeus, and The Nerd. In addition to his stage work, he took on various live-action film and TV roles, such as Kenneth W. Dantley Jr. in Corvette Summer (1978), Private Griff in The Big Red One (1980), Crow in Sushi Girl (2012), Ted Mitchum in Brigsby Bear (2017), and Arthur Pym in the Netflix miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher (2023).
Mark Hamill Wiki
- Born: 25 September 1951 (age 73 years), Oakland, California, United States
- Spouse: Marilou York (m. 1978)
- Children: Nathan Hamill, Chelsea Hamill, Griffin Hamill
- Height: 1.75 m
- Parents: William Thomas Hamill, Virginia Suzanne Hamill
- Siblings: Patrick Hamill, Will Hamill, Terry Hamill, Jeanie Hamill, Jan Hamill, Kim Hamill
Early Life
Mark Hamill was born on September 25, 1951, in Oakland, California. His father, William Thomas Hamill, was a captain in the U.S. Navy. Mark was one of seven siblings, with two brothers—Will and Patrick—and four sisters: Terry, Jan, Jeanie, and Kim. His paternal heritage includes English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh roots, while his mother was of half Swedish and half English descent. Hamill described his father as a devout Roman Catholic and a staunch Nixon supporter.
He also shared that they had a strained relationship, partly due to his father’s disapproval of his interest in movies and comic books, which he considered trivial. Due to his father’s military assignments, Hamill’s family moved frequently, causing him to attend multiple schools. He studied at Walsingham Academy and Edgar Allan Poe Middle School in Virginia during his early years. At age 11, his family relocated to San Diego, where he attended Hale Junior High.
How Did Mark Hamill Become Famous?
Mark Hamill began his career in television with recurring roles, such as Kent Murray on General Hospital, and starred in the short-lived sitcom The Texas Wheelers. He also made guest appearances on shows like The Partridge Family and One Day at a Time, and played leading roles in several TV movies. However, Hamill’s breakthrough came with his legendary role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). The film’s unexpected global success catapulted him to fame almost overnight. He went on to reprise the role in several sequels and streaming series set in the Star Wars universe.
How Much Did Mark Hamill Make for A New Hope?
For his role in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Mark Hamill earned $650,000 upfront and negotiated a ¼% share of the film’s backend profits. Given the film’s massive global earnings of $775.3 million, his backend deal reportedly earned him around $1.86 million, bringing his total to about $2.5 million for the film.
How Much Was Hamill Paid for The Force Awakens?
Mark Hamill earned $3 million for his brief appearance at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), despite having less than five minutes of screen time—making it one of the most lucrative cameo appearances in film history.
How Much Did Hamill Earn for The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker?
Although exact figures aren’t publicly known, it’s believed Mark Hamill made between $5 million and $10 million for his significantly expand role in The Last Jedi (2017). For The Rise of Skywalker (2019), estimates suggest a similar payment range, considering his previous compensation and importance to the franchise.
Did Mark Hamill Receive Royalties from Star Wars?
Yes, Hamill earned a ¼% share of the backend profits for A New Hope. However, he did not receive royalties from video or TV releases of the original trilogy. He did receive royalties from the 1990s theatrical re-release of the original films. It’s unclear whether he continues to earn royalties from the franchise today.
How Much Did Mark Hamill Make for The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett?
Hamill has not disclosed how much he earned for reprising Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Based on previous earnings, it’s likely he was paid in the hundreds of thousands to low millions for these cameo appearances.
Was Mark Hamill Paid for The Big Bang Theory?
The amount Mark Hamill was paid for his cameo in the series finale of The Big Bang Theory has not been reveal. According to showrunner Steve Holland, Hamill agreed to appear after speaking with the writers and trusting their vision—suggesting his involvement was both personal and professional. Given the significance of the guest spot, it’s believe he earned several hundred thousand dollars for the appearance.
What Is Mark Hamill’s Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Mark Hamill has an estimate net worth of $20 million. While most of his wealth comes from his work in the Star Wars franchise, Hamill has also had a thriving career in voice acting—especially for his acclaimed role as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. He has also earned income from stage performances and roles as a producer, director, and writer.
FAQs
How old is Mark Hamill in 2025?
Mark Hamill was born on September 25, 1951, which makes him 73 years old as of 2025.
What was Mark Hamill’s first acting role?
Mark Hamill made his acting debut on The Bill Cosby Show in 1969, marking the beginning of his professional career in television.
Is Mark Hamill still doing voice acting?
Yes, Mark Hamill continues to work as a voice actor and is widely praise for his long-standing role as the Joker in various DC animate series and films.
Did Mark Hamill ever work in theater?
Mark Hamill has had a successful stage career, appearing in several Broadway productions including The Elephant Man, The Nerd, and Amadeus.
How did Mark Hamill prepare for his role in Star Wars?
While specific details of his preparation aren’t widely known, Hamill had studi drama at Los Angeles City College and built up acting experience in television, which prepare him for his breakout role as Luke Skywalker.
Did Mark Hamill appear in The Big Bang Theory?
Yes, Mark Hamill guest-starred in the series finale of The Big Bang Theory, playing himself in a special wedding episode for the characters Sheldon and Amy.
How much did Mark Hamill earn from Star Wars?
Did Mark Hamill get royalties? Mark Hamill did have a backend deal where he earned a ¼ percent cut of the backend profits of Star Wars: A New Hope in addition to his $650,000 salary. He did not earn royalties from the original Star Wars trilogy’s video or television releases.