Actor Mark Hamill, famously known for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga, made a surprise appearance at the White House press room last Friday. Hamill greeted President Joe Biden, who jokingly referred to him as ‘Joe-B-Wan Kenobi’, a nod to the Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
After meeting with the president in the Oval Office, Hamill surprised reporters in the press room, wearing black aviator-style glasses that Biden had given him. When asked about his meeting with Biden, Hamill shared that he called the president ‘Mr. President’, to which Biden replied, “You can call me Joe.”
Known for his political activism and criticism of former President Donald Trump, Hamill has visited the White House on several occasions in the past, under the presidencies of Democrats Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. However, this recent visit marked his first time in the Oval Office.
In a separate event, Hamill had a special reunion with actress Natalie Portman, who played his on-screen mother, Princess Padmé Amidala, in the Star Wars saga. The actors met at the 2024 Golden Globes and shared a moment together, captured in a photograph that delighted fans of the franchise.
As fans around the world celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4th, paying tribute to the iconic film series created by George Lucas, the origin of the holiday dates back to a clever play on words referencing the franchise’s famous motto, “May the Force be with you.” The tradition gained worldwide popularity in 2011 with a festival in Canada showcasing all the films in the saga.