Yoda

Standing at just 66 centimetres tall, this ancient Jedi Master commands respect through wisdom rather than physical presence. His distinctive backwards speech pattern and centuries of experience have made him one of the most recognisable figures in the galaxy far, far away. Born nearly nine hundred years before the Battle of Yavin, he belongs to a mysterious species whose origins remain largely unknown throughout the saga.

During his long tenure with the Jedi Order, he rose to become Grand Master and served on the Jedi High Council during the final years of the Galactic Republic. His pupils included some of the most significant figures in galactic history, from the fallen Count Dooku to Obi-Wan Kenobi. When the Empire rose to power and Order 66 decimated the Jedi ranks, he went into exile on the swamp planet Dagobah, where he would later encounter Luke Skywalker.

Frank Oz brought the character to life through puppetry and voice work, creating a performance that balances playful mischief with profound spiritual insight. The diminutive green figure first appeared lifting Luke’s X-wing from the Dagobah swamps, demonstrating that size matters not when it comes to the Force. His teachings about fear, anger, and the dark side became central to the saga’s mythology.

Even after his physical death, he continued to guide the Skywalker lineage as a Force ghost, appearing to Luke decades later and ultimately to Rey during her final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine. His influence spans generations, making him a cornerstone of the Star Wars universe’s spiritual framework.