Obi Wan Kanobi
played by Alec Guiness
Ben Kenobi has lived for years in the dangerous Jundland Wastes, on the edge of the Dune Sea. He is seldom encountered by others, but occasionally "Old Ben" appears to help someone who is lost, or warn the local authorities of a massing of Sand People. While most residents of the Anchorhead area have heard of Kenobi, the majority consider him a crazy old hermit best left to himself.
In truth, Kenobi once traveled the galaxy as a Jedi Knight and defender of the Old Republic. He rose to become a General in the Clone Wars, fighting alongside legendary figures such as Bail Organa of Alderaan.
Kenobi took on a student, Anakin Skywalker, whom he trained in the ways of the Jedi, but lost him to the dark side of the Force. The boy became the evil Darth Vader, turned against the Jedi, and helped the Emperor hunt down and destroy the Jedi protectors of the Old Republic.
Ewan McGregor plays Obi Wan in
the Episode I
Haunted by his failure, Obi-Wan Kenobi went into hiding, realizing that he could do more by guarding the young Luke Skywalker from afar than by leading a desperate, doomed battle against Vader and his Emperor.
Kenobi brooded, watching for the right time to make a move against the Empire, waiting for a new hope. He took the name Ben and cloaked himself in the persona of a crazy wizard. Many years later, when a pair of droids brought young Luke Skywalker into the web of destiny, Kenobi knew his wait was over.