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Actors you may not have realized were in Star Wars

By Nik Edlund

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Keira Knightley attends "The Aftermath" World Premiere held at The Picturehouse Central on February 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Keira Knightley attends "The Aftermath" World Premiere held at The Picturehouse Central on February 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) /
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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Actors John Ratzenberger (L) and John Morris attend the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Game Changers Screening Series – “Toy Story” event at the Ford Theatre on June 28, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Actors John Ratzenberger (L) and John Morris attend the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Game Changers Screening Series – “Toy Story” event at the Ford Theatre on June 28, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images) /

John Ratzenberger

Oh yes, Cliff Clavin himself the lovable mailman from the hit ’80s sitcom Cheers was in Star Wars. Not only is he famous for playing Cliff Clavin but he’s also voiced a character in every single Pixar movie, including Hamm from Toy Story, Mack from Cars, and the fish school from Finding Nemo.

Before all of that, he appeared in The Empire Strikes Back. His role is brief and if you blink you could miss it. He played Major Derlin, a rebel officer on the base on Hoth. He famously or better yet notoriously, gave the order to close the base shield doors when Han Solo was out searching for Luke on his Tauntaun.

Major Derlin was never seen on film again, but doing some research it appears he survived the evacuation and went on to serve the Rebel Alliance in the Battle of Endor. Next time you watch Empire, be sure to look closely for John Ratzenberger as Major Derlin. He is hard to identify as he’s a bit skinnier than we are used to seeing, but that signature mustache gives him away.

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