The all the Star Wars movies, it’s hard to believe that any one character could make so many appearances. There are iconic characters that make appearances across trilogies, and with different actors portraying these characters, such as Ewan McGregor taking over the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy cast.

Star Wars is also known for reusing actors for cameo appearances in different titles. Mark Hamill, who is best known for portraying Luke Skywalker, has made many cameos throughout the Star Wars franchise playing other characters. Hamill’s skills in voice acting have allowed him to voice various droids and appear as Darth Bane in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

When it comes to droids, they technically don’t age like other characters, meaning they can appear again and again without ever having to change. This is partially how C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels has been able to appear in every single Star Wars movie.

Anthony Daniels Is In Every Star Wars Movie

Even The Spin-Offs Too

Anthony Daniels is best known for portraying the loveable protocol droid C-3PO. C-3PO made appearances in all nine of the Skywalker saga movie, as well as a cameo in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. While he was the trusted friend of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa in the original Star Wars trilogy, audiences got to learn Threepio’s origins in the prequel trilogy. It was shown that a young, enslaved Anakin Skywalker was in the process of building him during Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

Daniels also cameoed in Solo: A Star Wars Story, just not as the well-known C-3PO. Instead, Daniels cameoed as a human miner named Tak. A con artist, Tak was eventually enslaved and worked at the spice mines of Kessel. These slaves, including Tak, were eventually freed after Qi’ra killed the Pyke capo Quay Tolsite. Though a minor role, Daniels' appearance means he’s appeared in every Star Wars movie to date.

Star Wars Has Secretly Turned Anthony Daniels Into Its Own Stan Lee

And It’s Kind Of Great

Marvel used to have a great tradition of having Stan Lee cameo in most Marvel-associated films and television shows. In fact, by the end of Stan Lee’s life, it was odder for him not to appear - it was simply expected. The same can now be said for Anthony Daniels. While Daniels didn’t create the IP like Stan Lee did, Daniels played a vital role in the original trilogy that helped solidify Star Wars’ legacy as a franchise.

Daniels’ consistent appearances not only in Star Wars films, but also in shows like The Clone Wars and most recently Ahsoka, provide a sense of familiarity and comfort for Star Wars fans old and new.

Daniels’ consistent appearances not only in Star Wars films, but also in shows like The Clone Wars and most recently Ahsoka, provide a sense of familiarity and comfort for Star Wars fans old and new. Similarly to how fans expected to see Stan Lee in Marvel movies, it’s now seemingly an unwritten rule that Daniels - as C-3PO or otherwise - must make an appearance in a Star Wars movie.

Will Star Wars Continue This Tradition With The Mandalorian And Grogu?

We Can Only Hope

It’s certainly within the realm of possibility for C-3PO to make a cameo in Star Wars’ first film since 2019, The Mandalorian and Grogu. We know that New Republic, it’s possible to see C-3PO make a cameo like the one seen in Ahsoka season 1. If not, Anthony Daniels could always appear as another character, similar to his small role as Tak in Solo.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.

Star Wars has been around for nearly 50 years, and the stories told through film span just about the same time, so it’s truly unique that one actor has been able to appear in every single movie. While Anthony Daniels isn’t the most recognizable actor, especially not while in his C-3PO costume, his appearances are like little additional Easter eggs for fans to find. It’s still unclear if Daniels will appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu, but fans can hold out hope for an Anthony Daniels cameo in Star Wars’ next title.