The galaxy far, far away is huge. It’s full of many planets, many people, many ships, many Ewoks, and other species, which means a lot of actors.
Over the past 40 years, famous actors of all generations have appeared in “Star Wars” movies, and some of their roles were so quick that you probably missed them. And some performers made their “Star Wars” appearances years before they got famous, so even if you saw them, you probably didn’t know who they were at the time.
Here are the 28 people you probably didn’t know were in “Star Wars” movies, from “The Phantom Menace” to “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”
Keira Knightley
Years before gaining fame for her major role in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” Knightley appeared in “The Phantom Menace” as Sabé, a handmaiden to Queen Padmé Amidala. For most of the movie, Sabé poses as the Queen of Naboo.
Sofia Coppola
The director had a small role as Saché, another handmaiden to Queen Padmé Amidala in "Phantom Menace." The same year, her feature-length directorial debut, "The Virgin Suicides," came out to acclaim.
Rose Byrne
The star of "Neighbors" and "X-Men: First Class" was in "Attack of the Clones" as Dormé, a handmaiden to Senator Padmé Amidala.
Joel Edgerton
"The Great Gatsby" star had a small role in "Attack of the Clones" as an important character in the series. He portrayed a young Uncle Owen (Luke Skywalker's uncle, Anakin Skywalker's stepbrother). Edgerton recently told Business Insider about his idea for returning to the franchise.
Keisha Castle-Hughes
You may recognize Castle-Hughes as the violent Sand Snake Obara from "Game of Thrones." In "Revenge of the Sith," the actress played the Queen of Naboo.
Max Von Sydow
Max Von Sydow, aka The Three-Eyed Raven from "Game of Thrones," made a brief appearance as Lor San Tekka at the beginning of "Force Awakens." San Tekka gives Poe Dameron the map fragment that would lead the Rebels to Luke Skywalker. He is killed by Kylo Ren.
Andy Serkis
Serkis rarely shows his actual face and true physical form in his movies, so it's easy to miss him. The creepy CGI villain Supreme Leader Snoke is performed by Serkis in "Force Awakens."
Dominic West
Before he was known as Jimmy McNulty on HBO's "The Wire," West had a very small role in "Phantom Menace" as a palace guard.
Peter Serafinowicz
Serafinowicz provided the voice for Darth Maul in "Phantom Menace," as well as a battle droid commander and a Gungan scout.
John Ratzenberger
Before he was annoying everyone at the bar on "Cheers" as Cliff Claven, Ratzenberger appeared in "The Empire Strikes Back" as Rebel Force Major Derlin.
Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz
Bill Hader of "Saturday Night Live" and Ben Schwartz of "House of Lies" teamed up as voice consultants for BB-8 in "Force Awakens."
Simon Pegg
Remember Unkar Plott, the junk boss of Jakku? Rey exchanges found items for food with him. The CGI character was performed by Simon Pegg. Before appearing in the "Star Wars" franchise, Pegg appeared in J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek."
Billie Lourd
The "Scream Queens" star and daughter of Carrie Fisher had a small role in "Force Awakens" as Lieutenant Connix. She will reprise her role in "The Last Jedi."
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
The "Love, Actually" and "Game of Thrones" star had a small cameo in "Force Awakens" as an officer of the First Order.
Miltos Yerolemou
Miltos Yerolemou, who played Syrio Forel in season one of "Game of Thrones," appears at Maz Kanata's bar on the planet Takodana in "Force Awakens."
Judah Friedlander
The stand-up comedian and "30 Rock" star makes a brief appearance at Maz Kanata's bar on the planet Takodana in "Force Awakens."
Kevin Smith
The longtime "Star Wars" fan had a small role as a Stormtrooper in "Force Awakens." Although his character had a few lines, his face was hidden behind the Stormtrooper mask.
Daniel Craig
James Bond himself also has a cameo as a Stormtrooper in "Force Awakens." Rey uses the Force to make him set her free.
Bai Ling
Though her role never made it into the final cut, Bai Ling filmed scenes for "Revenge of the Sith" as the character Senator Bana Breemu.
Jessica Henwick
Jessica Henwick, who plays Nymeria Snake on "Game of Thrones," had a brief role in "Force Awakens" as Jessika Pava, an X-wing fighter pilot for the Resistance.
Greg Grunberg
Grunberg, who is probably best known for "Heroes," has worked with J.J. Abrams quite often including on "Star Trek" and starting with "Felicity." Grunberg had a small role in "Force Awakens" as Temmin "Snap" Wexley, a pilot for the Resistance.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
The "Hamilton" songwriter and star doesn't appear in the film physically, but he teamed up with J.J. Abrams to create the cantina music heard during the Maz Kanata bar scene in "Force Awakens." The songs he worked on are called "Jabba Flow" and "Dobra Doompa."
Warwick Davis
Warwick Davis appearing in these movies is somewhat of a tradition now. He's only got a few moments of screen time in most of the films, but Davis, who has been many characters in "Star Wars" movies from an Ewok in "Return of the Jedi" to an observer of the pod race in "Phantom Menace." He also has roles in "The Last Jedi" (pictured) and "Solo," where he's more recognizable.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Gordon-Levitt, who has been in every single feature directed by "The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson, provided the voice for Slowen Lo, a Canto Bight resident who calls the authorities on Finn and Rose after they land on the beach.
Justin Theroux
He's the mysterious master codebreaker Finn and Rose Tico are looking for on Canto Bight, and Justin Theroux gives the character a suave personality and dashing looks. Unfortunately, he only makes a very, very brief appearance.
Gary Fisher
Carrie Fisher's Instagram famous dog, Gary, has a brief cameo as an alien dog in "The Last Jedi."
Jon Favreau
The actor and director provided the voice for Rio Durant.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The star of Amazon's "Fleabag" and creator of the hit TV show "Killing Eve" provides the voice for L3-37, Lando Calrissian's insecure but talented droid.