Copyright Variety
At the San Diego Intl. Film Festival, which ran from Oct. 15-19, Mark Hamill received the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence. The award honors the career achievements of a film actor, producer or director for their contributions to cinema. In a video montage preceding his award, highlights from Hamill’s career were showcased. Hamill rose to fame as Luke Skywalker in 1977’s “Star Wars” and reprised the role in its sequels, Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett.” His most recent role is in Lionsgate’s Stephen King adaptation “The Long Walk,” from director Francis Lawrence. Upcoming projects include Paramount’s “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” His other credits include voice acting roles in “The Wild Robot,” “The Boy and the Heron,” a long-standing role as the Joker, starting with “Batman: The Animated Series,” and the video game “Arkham City,” for which he received a BAFTA Award. Variety’s deputy editor of features, Carole Horst, presented the actor with the award onstage. While accepting the honor, Hamill dedicated the award to all the cast and crew that he’s worked with throughout his long-standing career. “I want to share this with the countless people who have helped me over the years because a career in this business is a composite endeavor,” he said. “I think of all the writers, directors, other actors and crew. You can’t do it alone. There are so many people who helped me get to where I am today.” The actor shared that he pursued the acting business out of pure passion while reflecting on his decades-long career, not realizing he would leave an impactful stamp on the entertainment industry. “I didn’t have high aspirations when I decided to become an actor,” he continued. “My goal was to become a working stiff, do what I loved, be able to make a living at it to pay the bills and hopefully support a family.” Hamill ended his acceptance speech by recognizing his wife for her support and sharing the honor with her in gratitude. “In 1978, I married my former dental hygienist, Marilou Hamill — the best decision I ever made,” he said. “She gave me three beautiful children. She’s been with me through thick and thin and the ups and downs in this crazy business. I can’t thank her enough. I love you.”
