As a star of the world’s most successful motion picture franchise, there are arguments that Mark Hamill’s net worth has been underestimated. While some feel the actor is not as wealthy as he should be, it doesn’t change the fact that he is a millionaire and also an acclaimed voice artist.
He has been in the spotlight since the ’70s, consistently making several stage, movie and TV appearances. However, Hamill is most known for his role in the blockbuster science-fiction movie, Star Wars, where he portrayed the main character, Luke Skywalker, the saga’s hero. Let’s take a look at the veteran actor’s road to riches.
How Much Did Mark Hamill Make From Star Wars?
Before Star Wars, Mark Hamill had an impressive list of TV credits including the long-standing soap General Hospital, and the hit sitcoms The Bill Cosby Show, The Texas Wheelers, and many more. Though Mark had obviously carved a niche for himself before Star Wars, his breakthrough came with the original film franchise. Hamill scored a mouth-watery paycheck back in 1977 when he landed the role of Luke in the series debut movie, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, earning $650,000 for the film.
Thereafter, Mark had the foresight to make money from the film’s total profits, TV screenings, rereleases and more. It simply means that the actor struck a deal with those in charge, for one-fourth of one percent of its future earnings. The deal suggests that Hamill was getting paid for Star Wars when he starred in the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) as well as the first trilogy sequels; Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi (1983). Both sequels earned Hamil the Saturn Award for Best Actor.
Since the original Star Wars trilogy wrapped up in 1983, Hamill largely stayed out of the spotlight but was very active off-screen. He made several appearances on stage, movie and TV series. He later made a big-screen comeback when he replayed his role as Luke Skywalker in the new Star Wars sequel trilogy films, The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017).
Mark Hamill’s “one-fourth of a percent” deal for the original movie clearly didn’t apply for the later sequel trilogy. While the actor’s remuneration was reportedly low and within the seven-figure range for The Force Awakens, where he only appeared in the final scene, Mark is believed to have renegotiated his contract for the followup The Last Jedi, where he has a much larger role.
For the new Star Wars trilogy, the aging actor is obviously uninterested in just the paycheck. In late 2017, Hamill who has always embraced his Star Wars legacy revealed that he almost didn’t return for the new movies when invited back until he learned Harrison Ford had signed on.
During those long years in between the first and second Star Wars trilogy, Mark Hamill found his stride in voiceover work, voicing dozens of cartoon characters. In addition to the hit movies Avatar: The Last Airbender and Robot Chicken, Mark is also known for his role as DC Comics’ the Joker. Beginning with 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series, he has voiced the Joker in at least 20 different spin-off series, animated shows, movies, and video games.
Just in case you are still wondering why Mark is so revered as a voice actor, some of his notable behind the scene credits include Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Static Shock, the Batman: Arkham VR, and much more. Though his role as The Joker earned him some awards and tons of nominations, his Star Wars legacy as Luke Skywalker is apparently the major contributor to Mark Hamill’s net worth.
What Is Mark Hamill’s Net Worth?
The actor had starring roles in five Star Wars films, which unsurprisingly explains why Mark Hamill’s net worth is pretty sizeable. Despite getting a good deal in a handful of movies and voice acting roles over the decades, Hamill’s career has been largely defined by Star Wars. Granted, he’s one of the finest voice actors but that doesn’t pay blockbuster salaries.
Owing to his over five decades successful career in film, television, theatre, and voice acting, Mark Hamill’s net worth is currently pegged at $12 million.
