Mark Hamill reveals what ended his AP career. No, it’s not Star Wars

In a recent tweet, the 71-year-old star revealed he had briefly worked with The Associated Press' Los Angeles bureau in the 70s.

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Many found it hard to process that Mark Hamill could have been in journalism.

Mark Hamill, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, is widely known for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the ‘Star Wars’ series. But did you know that the star, who has made quite a career for himself also as a voice actor, could have also made his way into journalism?

In a recent tweet, the 71-year-old star revealed he had briefly worked with The Associated Press (AP). The interesting anecdote now has fans curious about his journey from the media office to the silver screen.

ALSO READ | Mark Hamill voices the Joker and Yoda to little patients at Children’s Hospital, spreads joy online

Freelance journalist Dan Sewell took to Twitter to share a story about how former Los Angeles AP bureau chief John Brewer recalled that a struggling actor, working as a night news assistant in the 70s, left the newsroom to join cinema. “He informed Brewer in ‘75 he had been cast in ‘a sci-fi movie’,” Sewell tweeted, only to reveal he was talking about Hamill. “And so ended @HamillHimself ‘s AP career!”

Former LA @AP bureau chief John Brewer recalls a struggling actor moonlighting as night news assistant – filing, changing ribbons, loading paper – in the ‘70s.
He informed Brewer in ‘75 he had been cast in “a sci-fi movie.”
And so ended @HamillHimself ‘s AP career!

— Dan Sewell (@dansewell) February 14, 2022

As the tweet left many surprised, it also caught the attention of the actor himself. However, he did a small “fact check” upholding journalistic integrity. “Mostly TRUE. I WAS a copy-boy at the LA @AP bureau in the 70’s & I DID inform John Brewer I was leaving because I’d been cast in, not a ‘sci-fi movie’,” he tweeted adding it was for a famous musical sitcom, The Partridge Family.

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“I like Mr Brewer’s version much better,” the actor wrote in a candid manner.

FACT CHECK: Mostly TRUE. I WAS a copy-boy at the LA @AP bureau in the 70’s & I DID inform John Brewer I was leaving because I’d been cast in, not a “sci-fi movie”, but an episode of “The Partridge Family.” And so ended my AP career. I like Mr Brewer’s version much better. https://t.co/BBgA7KfNbl

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) February 15, 2022

When I started, all I knew about journalism was from “The Front Page” & Superman comics. I imagined myself bursting into the Editor’s office yelling “Stop the presses, Chief!”, not just cutting copy, sweeping up & getting lunch orders. #GotToPayDuesIfYouWantToReportNews

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) February 15, 2022

Hamill, who is mostly known for his heroics in the original Star Wars trilogy, is also widely revered for his amazing role as a DC comics villain. Known for his long-standing role as The Joker in various DC Comics projects, started with Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1994), he went on to voice the Joker in the 1993 theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and the 2000 direct-to-video film Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

The tweets got many talking online, with people pointing out other stars who had brief stints in journalism before making it big in the entertainment industry. While many fans said they had no doubt Hamill would have had a successful career in journalism, they were glad to find him as Luke Skywalker.

I thought it was impossible for @HamillHimself to be more likeable than he already is, but this anecdote did the trick. https://t.co/B6Dl9OELt6

— Jan-Albert Hootsen 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@jahootsen) February 16, 2022

A long time ago in another @AP bureau far, far away … https://t.co/6P5AATw0Vc

— Adam Schreck (@adamschreck) February 16, 2022

Wait what in gods name did you know this @andyjamesdalton @JohnAntczak @gflaccus and not tell me? Shouldn’t this be day one of the intern onboarding https://t.co/tPJXu2tDpk

— Krysta Fauria (@krystafauria) February 15, 2022

SIREN:

Luke Skywalker was a journalist https://t.co/AjVZ8hTKFw

— Chris Krewson (@ckrewson) February 15, 2022

May the facts be with you. https://t.co/kCCGN39QQD

— Bobby Caina Calvan (@BobbyCalvan) February 15, 2022

Incredible bit of @AP history here https://t.co/ZUH7JsbWiy

— Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) February 14, 2022

Sad. One more journalist lured away from the craft by that lucrative plan B… https://t.co/W9n4InIH0q

— Jeremy Fugleberg (@jayfug) February 14, 2022

Or perhaps “AP: We are the Chosen One to deliver news.”

— Anton L. Delgado (@antonldelgado) February 16, 2022

I’m only doing this journalism thing until I get cast in the next Star Wars series too https://t.co/JI1gsR5qlg

— Zach Montellaro (@ZachMontellaro) February 14, 2022

Wow! John Brewer helped get me into journalism. Didn’t know he also trained Jedi. https://t.co/Uaon7phtF0

— Jesse Major (@jessemajor) February 16, 2022

Waiting for the Disney+ spinoff of Luke Skywalker’s early days of opening up the AP Bureau on Tatooine

— David Montero (@DaveMontero) February 14, 2022

Ahhhh…think what he COULD HAVE been if he had followed a news career! ;-)

— Annadale (@Annadal92039751) February 14, 2022

And here’s a clip. Such a cutie! What teen girl wouldn’t have gone for @HamillHimself? https://t.co/Mgp3FfDt3b And of course Susan Dey herself was gorgeous.

— Patrice Fitzgerald (@PatriceFitz) February 16, 2022

Puffin 🐧 All I gotta Say Thank you George Lucas For Star 💫 Wars and casting you as Luke Skywalker. And your life forevermore changed. You are such a force no small part is enough for you 😜 you give us is undescribable. You give us Hope, Light and Love with each performance.💙 pic.twitter.com/1Sgh1VazGv

— JenniLynn Hamill (@JenniLynnHamill) February 15, 2022

You quit your job because you were cast in one episode of “The Partridge Family”?
I love the confidence that had to have taken.

Worked out pretty well too, all things considered.

— Eric (@EricWoodard1) February 15, 2022