While I detest accusations about Mark Hamill's acting as I think he's a great actor. I thought I'd share this rather relevant article I just found. It's from the June 16th, 1978, issue of the Montreal Gazette:
'Star Wars' hero playing it cool for a hot career
Mark Hamill: New film lets him do a comedy role
HOLLYWOOD - (UPI) - Mark Hamill, who literally skyrocketed to stardom as Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars,' is determined not to flame out as just another flash-in-the pan in a record-breaking movie.
The kid has kept a low profile since completing his role in the greatest box-office film of all time - more than $200 million so far and holding.
Hamill has eschewed the fast buck and maxi-exposure offers.
He turned down television almost flat. No game shows, no quiz shows, no clumsy song-and-dance act on variety shows or specials.
Nor did he follow 'Star Wars' with a quickie movie to capitalize on his awesome new fame.
Hamill, a handsome, blond 26-year-old, hung out at his rented Malibu pad, keeping to his old haunts and old friends.
He did appear on talk shows - Dinah, Johnny, Merv and Mike - and the Bob Hope Christmas special - "an invitation from Bob is like a request from the Pope."
'To save myself'
Mark did tour the United States for a month last June and spent October on a world tour promoting 'Star Wars' but otherwise he settled for relative isolation.
Not that Hamill is a shrinking violet. On the contrary, he's brash, self-possessed and confident. He has a healthy ego, too.
Above all, Hamill is smart. He knew it would be simple for the public to overdose on Mark Hamill. It would have been simple to grab the money and run. He's opted for longevity.
"I made the decision to save myself so that when people go to see me it'll be freshing," Mark said.
"I wanted to work during the last year, but most of the offers were drive-in fodder. I like drive-ins, popcorn and making out, but I'd rather see drive-in movies than be in them.
"The kind of movies I want, I have to go after. The people who wanted to hire me without asking me to read for the part made me nervous. They are willing to give me a starring role sight unseen.
"I'm at a slight disadvantage now because 'Star Wars' was so stylized. I'm not being offered Tennessee Williams stuff as a result of playing Luke. But I resent producers offering me a half-million dollars just to use my name."
It's not as if Mark is a lucky young pup who caught the brass ring in his first motion picture. Despite his tender years he has been a professional since his debut in an episode of 'The Cosby Show' in 1970.
He has appeared in 140 television shows and a couple of TV movies. He studied Moliere and Shakespeare at Los Angeles City College. He spent nine months in the 'General Hospital' soap opera and starred in 'The Texas Wheelers' series.
"Sometimes I felt guilty in TV, working in things I wouldn't watch in a million years," Mark said, grinning. "Now I have luxury of holding off."
Mark held off for almost a year before accepting the leading role in 'Corvette Summer,' a romantic comedy about a high school student, a girl and a car.
His role is in sharp contrast to the simplistic Luke Skywalker. In the new film Mark plays a sensitive, complex youth who becomes involved in a series of dramatic and comedic situations.
There are no breathtaking special effects, much less such hardware as lovable robots, R2D2 and C3PO, nor such weirdos as Chewbacca and Darth Vader to beef up the action and box-office.
"I took the role in 'Corvette Summer' - I hate that title - because the character I play is terrific. It gives me a chance to do some comedy.
"It's a contemporary story about a young man with everyday problems. The script was excellent and I can take pride in the movie."
