TheStar Warsfranchise has consistently brought back its most iconic characters across many projects, raising the question of which ones have appeared in the most movies and TV shows. BeforeDisney boughtStar Warsin 2012, this would have been much easier to answer, as there were only six theatrical films, a handful of cartoons, and a few TV movies and specials. However, the saga now encompasses 12 theatrical films, six live-action TV shows, nine animated series, multiple micro-series, and countless more projects on the way.
For this list, characterswill be ranked by combining the total number ofStar Warsmovies and TV showsthey appeared in, regardless of screen time. If two characters' totals are tied, then their average screen time and number of episodes in the TV shows will be used to estimate which one has more appearances.LEGO Star Warsstories, documentaries, TV specials, game shows, and canceled or unreleased projects likeStar Wars Detourswill not factor into the list. With that in mind, here are the 10Star Warscharacters who have appeared in the most movies and TV shows.
4
6
10
Padmé Amidala is unique because she is the only character on this list who did not first appear in theStar Warsoriginal trilogy. While she was mentioned as Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa’s unnamed mother inReturn of the Jedi, she debuted in 1999’sStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Her journey from Queen to Senator and her relationship with Anakin Skywalker was chronicled throughout the rest of theStar Warsprequel trilogy, culminating in her tragic death after giving birth to Luke and Leia.
Between the release of the films, Padmé made her first animated appearance in theStar Wars: Clone Warsmicro-series from 2003 to 2005. She then transitioned into 3D animation with theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie and TV series, putting her slightly above other characters who had a similar number of appearances. Her roles after this are fairly scarce, appearing briefly inStar Wars Forces of Destiny,Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures, andStar Wars: Tales of the Jedi. She was also featured in flashbacks of the prequel trilogy in theObi-Wan Kenobilimited series.
8
3
11
Like many characters who have made the most movie and TV appearances, Chewbacca debuted in theStar Warsoriginal trilogy from 1977 to 1983, where he was Han Solo’s first mate and later an ally of the Rebel Alliance. His backstory of defending his homeworld of Kashyyyk alongside Jedi Master Yoda was briefly fleshed out in 2005’sStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. He became a main recurring character once again in theStar Warssequel trilogy, while his history with Han was expanded in 2018’sSolo: A Star Wars Story.
While it has not been confirmed, Chewbacca’s next likely appearance is in Rey’s New Jedi Order movie.
Chewbacca’s appearances in theStar WarsTV shows have been relatively minor compared to the movies. He appeared inStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 3, episode 22 “Wookiee Hunt,” teaming up with Ahsoka Tano and two Jedi younglings to escape from Trandoshan hunters. Chewbacca also appeared in episodes of two micro-series:Star Wars Forces of DestinyandStar Wars Galaxy of Adventures, the latter of which retold iconicStar Warsmoments in an anime style. While it has not been confirmed, Chewbacca’s next likely appearance is in Rey’s New Jedi Order movie.
7
13
As the main character of theStar Warsoriginal trilogy, viewers may be surprised to see Luke Skywalker this low on the list. While Luke is undeniably crucial toStar Wars, his onscreen presence became much more limited followingReturn of the Jedi. He only appeared as a baby at the end ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, explaining how he and his sister were separated while transitioning intoA New Hope. He also had a limited role in theStar Warssequel trilogy, where he was only featured heavily inStar Wars: The Last Jedi.
Luke’s first TV appearance (not countingTheStar Wars Holiday Special) was a brief cameo at the end ofStar Wars Rebelsseason 3, episode 20 “Twin Suns.” He also appeared inStar Wars Forces of Destiny, which primarily focused on femaleStar Warscharacters, andStar Wars Galaxy of Adventures. Luke made a grand entrance at the end ofThe Mandalorianseason 2, played a major role in an episode ofThe Book of Boba Fett, and appeared as a 10-year-old boy inObi-Wan Kenobi.
5
Although Leia Organa has the same number of appearances as her brother, she most likely has an edge in screen time. Leia and Luke share the spotlight pretty evenly in theStar Warsoriginal trilogy andStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, but Leia easily has more screen time in the sequel trilogy. She also appeared at the end ofRogue One: A Star Wars Story, giving her one more film appearance than Luke.
Leia appeared in many of the same TV shows as Luke but had a larger role in her episodes. She has a special guest appearance inStar Wars Rebelsseason 2, episode 12 “A Princess on Lothol,” where she had to team up with theGhostcrew without revealing her rebel ties to the Empire.Star Wars Forces of Destinybeing a primarily female-centric show guaranteed Leia more screen time than Luke, and she also appeared inStar Wars Galaxy of AdventuresandStar Wars Resistance. Her most recent appearance was as a main character in theObi-Wan Kenobiseries.
14
It’s no surprise that Emperor Palpatine, the main villain of the Skywalker Saga, would be among theStar Warscharacters with the most film and TV appearances. He first appeared in one scene inThe Empire Strikes Backbefore making a full debut inReturn of the Jedi. Palpatine’s backstory was fleshed out in theStar Warsprequel trilogy, which revealed that he was a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious who manipulated both sides of the Clone Wars. In a shocking twist, Palpatine returned inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, cheating death to plague the galaxy one last time.
Every Actor Who Has Played Emperor Palpatine In Star Wars
Emperor Palpatine is the undisputed big bad of the Star Wars franchise, but which actors have played and voiced the infamous Darth Sidious?
Palpatine also has impressive appearances inStar Warsanimation, beginning with theStar Wars: Clone Wars2D micro-series in 2003. His machinations throughout the Clone Wars were explored in greater detail in theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie and TV series, which included a fight where he wielded two lightsabers. Palpatine’s other animated appearances includeStar Wars Rebels,Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures,Star Wars: The Bad Batch, andStar Wars: Tales of the Jedi. He also made one more live-action appearance at the end of theObi-Wan Kenobiseries.
16
Yoda assured Luke Skywalker that the dark side was not stronger than the light, reflected by having more appearances than his dark side counterpart. First appearing inThe Empire Strikes Back, Yoda trained Luke and taught him the true meaning of the Force before dying peacefully inReturn of the Jedi. He received a larger role as the Jedi Grand Master in theStar Warsprequel trilogy and appeared briefly as a Force ghost inStar Wars: The Last Jedi. Alongside several other Jedi, his voice was heard by Rey on Exegol inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Yoda’s first TV appearance was in theStar Wars: Clone Wars2D micro-series, providing the opening narration that set the stage for the coming battles. He also appeared in theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie and TV series, where he was the main character of the series premiere and the original series finale before the show returned for a seventh season. Other appearances includeStar Wars Rebels,Star Wars Forces of Destiny,Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures,Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi,Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, and a cameo at the end ofThe Acolyte.
9
17
Originally known as “Old Ben,” Obi-Wan Kenobi was the first Jedi to appear inStar Wars. He guided Luke Skywalker in life and as a Force ghost throughout the original trilogy before his backstory was shown in theStar Warsprequel trilogy. He also had voice cameos inStar Wars: The Force AwakensandStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, telling Rey of her first and final steps in becoming a Jedi. Obi-Wan’s most recent live-action appearance saw him finally receive his own spinoff,Obi-Wan Kenobi, chronicling his time between the prequel and the original trilogies.
Obi-Wan’s first animated appearance was in theStar Wars: Clone Wars2D micro-series, followed by theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie and TV show. The latter gave more depth to Obi-Wan’s story, from expanding on his history before the prequels to developing his rivalry with Darth Maul. Obi-Wan helped kick offStar Wars Rebelsby appearing as a hologram before showing up in season 3, episode 20 “Twin Suns.” His other appearances includeStar Wars Forces of Destiny,Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures,Star Wars Tales of the Jedi, and a flashback inStar Wars: The Bad Batch.
19
It’s unsurprising that C-3PO would have so many appearances, as he is one of the few characters to appear in every episodicStar Warsfilm. He had a consistent role in theStar Warsoriginal trilogy, had his origin revealed in theStar Warsprequel trilogy, and had a more significant role in the Resistance for theStar Warssequel trilogy. He also had a brief cameo in the third act ofRogue One: A Star Wars Story, makingSolo: A Star Wars Storythe only film he hasn’t appeared in.
C-3PO was also one of the firstStar Warscharacters to return in an animated series whenStar Wars: Droidspremiered in 1985. He later had significant appearances in theStar Wars: Clone Wars2D micro-series and theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie and TV series.Star Wars RebelsandAhsokagave C-3PO notable guest appearances, aiding the Rebellion and the New Republic in each show. C-3PO’s other minor appearances includeStar Wars Resistance,Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures, andObi-Wan Kenobi.
The runner-up for the mostStar Warsmovie and TV appearances is Anakin Skywalker, when combined with his Darth Vader persona, of course. When Vader first appeared in the originalStar Warsfilm, audiences believed that he and Luke Skywalker’s father were two different characters, untilThe Empire Strikes Backmade them one and the same. Vader became Anakin again when he redeemed himself inReturn of the Jedi, followed by theStar Warsprequel trilogy showing how he became Vader. Anakin was among the many Jedi voices who stood behind Rey inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Anakin’s most notable TV appearances as a Jedi include theStar Wars: Clone Wars2D micro-series, theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie and TV show, andStar Wars: Tales of the Jedi. His most notable appearances as a Sith includeStar Wars RebelsandObi-Wan Kenobi, whileAhsokashowed Anakin’s Force ghost embodying the light and dark sides within the World Between Worlds. Anakin and Vader’s other appearances were throughoutStar Wars Forces of Destiny,Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures, a flashback inStar Wars: The Bad Batch, andStar Wars: Tales of the Empire.
20
The character who has undoubtedly appeared in the mostStar Warsmovies and TV shows is R2-D2. Alongside C-3PO, R2-D2 was the first character to appear in the originalStar Warsfilm, and he was often a witness to the saga’s most important events. George Lucas believed that theStar Warssaga was recorded in the Journal of the Whills 100 years afterReturn of the Jedi, made possible after an interview with R2-D2 himself. This is fitting if true, as R2-D2 has appeared in all nine Skywalker Saga films plus a cameo inRogue One: A Star Wars Story.
As with C-3PO, R2-D2 was one of the first characters to star in an animated show,Star Wars: Droids. Among his many animated appearances are theStar Wars: Clone Wars2D micro-series, theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie and TV series,Star Wars Rebels,Star Wars Forces of Destiny, andStar Wars Galaxy of Adventures. R2-D2 also appeared alongside Luke Skywalker inThe Mandalorianseason 2,The Book of Boba Fett, and a cameo inObi-Wan Kenobi. With 20 total projects under his belt, there’s no otherStar Warscharacter who has appeared in the most movies and shows.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
