Anthony Daniels’s biography reveals the life of an actor best known for portraying C-3PO in the Star Wars franchise. Born on February 21, 1946, in Salisbury, England, Daniels’s career took off with his role in the iconic film series. His success story extends beyond Star Wars, with contributions to theater, television, and voice acting. Daniels’s influence continues to be felt, inspiring both fans and future generations of actors.
Biography Summary
Born February 21, 1946, Anthony Daniels is a distinguished English actor and mime artist renowned for portraying C-3PO in eleven Star Wars films. He is the only actor to have participated in or contributed to every theatrical release within the franchise. His involvement extends beyond the films to various Star Wars spin-offs, including television series, video games, and radio serials.
Daniels lent his voice to the character of Legolas in Ralph Bakshi’s animated film The Lord of the Rings, released in 1978. He has also appeared on British television in various roles, notably as a pathologist in the acclaimed drama Prime Suspect, which stars Helen Mirren. Beyond his acting career, Daniels has shared his expertise as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center, enriching the next generation of artists and technologists.
Early Life
Anthony Daniels was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, where his father held a key position in a plastics company. He attended Giggleswick School and initially pursued law at university for two years before leaving to explore his passion for amateur dramatics. He further honed his craft at Rose Bruford College, exiting in 1974 to work with BBC Radio and the National Theatre of Great Britain at The Young Vic.
All I ever wanted to do was act.
Anthony Daniels
During his time in theatre, George Lucas approached Daniels for a role in Star Wars. Initially hesitant, Daniels agreed to meet Lucas after persuasion from his agent. Before his iconic role as C-3PO, Daniels’ exposure to science fiction was minimal. His only previous sci-fi cinema experience had been a brief encounter with 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968, which he left early in dissatisfaction. However, after being cast, Lucas encouraged him to watch the film entirely to understand the voice of HAL 9000. Daniels now holds the movie in high regard and expresses an affinity for post-apocalyptic films like Mad Max.
Daniels also spent time with the BBC’s Radio Drama Company and is fluent in French, demonstrating his diverse talents and interests beyond the silver screen.1
Career
Star Wars
Anthony Daniels initially auditioned for the role of C-3PO and became truly captivated after seeing Ralph McQuarrie’s concept design of the golden droid. His initial interaction with the C-3PO costume was when he donned it for filming and saw a Polaroid photograph of himself. Daniels faced challenges with the dialogue delivery, which George Lucas assured would be redubbed in post-production. In the original film, Daniels also briefly played a protocol droid with a distinctly white, pointy face.2 Despite the massive success of Star Wars, Daniels felt unrecognized due to a strategy by Lucasfilm to maintain the illusion that the droids were real.
The Hidden Challenges of Playing C-3PO
Anthony Daniels is the only actor to have appeared in all the major Star Wars films as the character C-3PO. Despite his significant presence in the franchise, Daniels initially found the costume of C-3PO very challenging to wear due to its restrictive nature and discomfort. Over time, he became adept at performing within the suit, bringing C-3PO to life with his distinctive voice and mannerisms. His dedication to the role has made C-3PO one of the Star Wars universe’s most beloved and recognizable characters.
Daniels reprised his role as C-3PO in every Star Wars feature film except Solo: A Star Wars Story, where he portrayed another character. His co-star Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2, remarked on their challenging relationship.3 Daniels’ association with C-3PO extended to promotional activities, including hosting The Making of Star Wars and various public appearances. He voiced C-3PO in the Star Wars radio serials and was the only original cast member to voice his character in all adaptations by NPR.
Beyond radio, Daniels voiced C-3PO in six animated series, contributed his voice to Disney theme park attractions like Star Tours, and participated in unique events like the “Last Tour to Endor.” His voice work includes notable features such as The Lego Movie and audiobooks. Daniels also penned the foreword for the Return of the Jediradio drama scripts and authored a Star Wars Insider magazine column and a comic book.
In The Phantom Menace, Daniels only provided the voice for C-3PO, which was performed on set by a puppeteer. He returned to the physical role in subsequent films, even though the character was sometimes rendered in CGI. Daniels made cameo appearances as humanoid characters in several films, enhancing his diverse contributions to the franchise.
In recent installments like The Force Awakens, directed by J. J. Abrams, Daniels was initially set only to voice C-3PO. However, Abrams chose to have him don the suit, which was redesigned using 3D printing for enhanced comfort and mobility. Daniels expressed his mixed feelings about changes like the droid’s red arm. He continued to play C-3PO in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker and made a cameo in Rogue One. Daniels has the unique distinction of participating in every main saga film, anthology film, and related series.
His commitment to the role was further celebrated when All Nippon Airways unveiled a Boeing 777 modeled after C-3PO. Daniels attended the unveiling, symbolizing his lasting impact on the series and its fanbase.
Other Acting Roles
Anthony Daniels lent his vocal talents to the character of Legolas in Ralph Bakshi’s animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings in 1978. His career on British television includes various dramatic roles, with a notable recurring appearance in Prime Suspect alongside Helen Mirren. In 1990, Daniels played a unique role as a priest in the British spoof horror film I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle.
On a film set everyone is very cool. Well, blase really.
Anthony Daniels
In addition to his acting career, Daniels has shared his academic expertise as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. His insights into his expansive career culminated in the release of his autobiography, I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story, published by DK on November 5, 2019. He had initially considered the title Telling the Odds for his autobiography, highlighting his deep connection to his Star Wars character.
Final Reflections
Anthony Daniels’s success story is marked by his iconic role in Star Wars, which has made a lasting impact on popular culture. His contributions to entertainment have solidified his place in the industry. Anthony Daniels’s biography serves as an inspiring story of dedication and passion for acting.
Reference List for Anthony Daniels’s Biography
- Daniels, Anthony. “Q & A.” ↩︎
- Daniels, Anthony. I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story. DK, 2019. ISBN 9781465492562. ↩︎
- Williams, Andrew. “Kenny Baker.” Metro, 27 October 2009. ↩︎
Similar Posts:
- Ahmed Best: Biography, Success Story, Star Wars
- Peter Mayhew: Biography, Chewbacca, Star Wars
- Temuera Morrison: Biography, Success Story, Star Wars
- Ian McDiarmid: Biography, Star Wars, Emperor Palpatine
- Top 25 Star Wars Actors of All Time