Mark Hamill: Acting is trivial
By Tribute News on December 23, 2015 | 3 Comments
Mark Hamill thinks being an actor is ”trivial” in comparison with helping others.
The actor took time out from promoting Star Wars: The Force Awakens – in which he reprises his role as Luke Skywalker – to visit sick kids at London’s Great Ormond Street hospital last week and says the trip put his life in perspective.
He told the Independent: ”One of the greatest things I am given because of the profession I am in is the ability to give back. It feels wonderful. It can be harrowing emotionally because your heart goes out to these children but it’s also very uplifting. You walk away thinking being an actor is so trivial compared to helping needy children.”
Mark thinks the ”optimistic and hopeful” nature of Star Wars is important, but pales in comparison to helping those in need.
He added: ”’Star Wars’ movies are meant to be a couple of hours of diversion from reality, and we need that. They are optimistic and hopeful stories. But in comparison to what we can do with this [the hospital], [the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens] is very trivial.”
Among the patients Mark met was four-year-old Jake Morgan, who is recovering from a kidney transplant.
The little boy’s mother, Samantha, said: ”It was great to meet Mark – we always watch the films. My brother Scott is a huge fan – he made me watch them when I was little. He is going to be amazed.”
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Picking up power converters at the toshi station pales in comparison to helping others too.
I highly doubt that actors becomes actors because they like how it pleases others. It’s more about being admire in portraying a role that others like. We all want to be admired for what we do but the way people express their feelings towards entertainers surpasses this. Also let’s not forget the salaries they get (at least the popular ones)
For sure, actors who make it big are well compensated for their work, both financially and with adoration of the public, and I’m sure many enjoy that attention (except when it becomes negative, and some might even like that). However, Hamill has an important message he is trying to offer which should not be trivialized.
People who find themselves in positions such as famous celebrities can be influential as role models (either good or bad). It is important for them to “get beyond” themselves and recognize they only exists because “average” people give them that power, and they should share in that wealth. Not all celebrities figure that out, and some live highly rarefied lives, wasting their time and money in total self indulgence.
When a person has been handed a gift of celebrity, even if it was hard work and diligence getting there, they do have some obligation to their public to reach out and be more than a two dimensional brand, and I say kudos to those who use that position in positive ways to think beyond themselves and their career and assist others.