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What is Cast of Original 'Star Wars' Trilogy Doing Today?

Aired May 17, 2002 - 13:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The clones are coming. And in some cases, the clones have already landed. They have already arrived. But go back to 1977, the original "Star Wars" film, made an impression on a whole lot of folks.

What is the cast doing today? Holly Firfer now has that answer on a Friday afternoon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was last seen battling the forces of evil, but now he can be seen on the campy FX show "VIP." Mark Hamill, heartthrob also known as Luke Skywalker, became a household name at the age 26, when "Star Wars" hit the movie theater for the first time.

Today, Hamill does voice-over work for such animated hits as "The Simpsons" and "Batman The Animated Series." You may even catch a glimpse of him in cameos on such TV shows as "Just Shoot Me," "Son of the Beach," and most recently, in Pamela Anderson's "VIP."

Hamill is not only in front of the small screen, but behind it as well. This recent episode of "VIP" was cowritten by Hamill, and next on his slate, directing for the series.

Luke Skywalker's sister, Princess Leia, has been no stranger to Hollywood. Carrie Fisher was just 21 when she starred in the blockbuster hit. After several roles in such movies as "The Blues Brothers" and "Soapdish," Fisher stepped out of the limelight for a bit. A divorce from singer Paul Simon and a 1985 overdose drove Fisher to rehab. She since made a brief appearance in the movie "Scream 3" in 2000. But Fisher's turned mostly to writing.

Besides the critically acclaimed autobiographical novel "Postcards From the Edge," she cowrote the 1997 Academy Awards.

Hero Han Solo, otherwise known as Harrison Ford, has become the biggest break out star of the original movie trilogy, playing the lead in films such as "Patriot Games" and "The Fugitive."

Rogue, hero, scoundrel, just a couple of ways to describe Lando Calrissian, Han Solo's hero in crime. You know him as Billy D. Williams. After years of making independent and B movies, you may have recognize him briefly in the flick "The Ladies Man," or on TV, in "The Hughleys." After a brief run-in with the law for spousal abuse, Williams turned to art. His paintings can still be seen in art galleries across the U.S.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES EARL JONES, ACTOR: We would be honored if you would join us.

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FIRFER: You know the voice, James Earl Jones continues to delight audiences, teaming up with former costar Harrison Ford in movies based on Tom Clancy's books, as well as appearances in "The Lion King" and "Malcolm X."

Holly Firfer, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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