Mark Hamill at San Diego Comic Con...a tale...

This is just a quick little story. I’ve been attending San Diego Comic Con for 15 straight years. Lots to tell there but that’s for another time. This time is about one of my favorite memories from SDCC.

I do not remember the year...I want to say 7-8 years back, myself and my buddies scored tix to a Private after party for Sony Online Entertainment at the Hard Rock. Free food, free booze, free swag. Awesome. This used to be the norm. Anyway, we are sitting on the patio outside and my buddy Ron starts nodding to me...hinting to me to turnaround. I do and right behind me on the other side of the gated off area was Mark Hamill.

He was just kinda looking around and was all by himself. He saw us looking and asked what we were doing. We explained we were with the Sony party. So I asked if he needed a pass to get in (knowing damn well he didn’t as he voiced the Joker for the game they were promoting). He chuckled and then he walked away and was gone. Bummer...

We were all excited that he was cool and that we got to have a moment with him. Then all of a sudden we see him come through the doors and walk right up to our table. He immediately strikes up a conversation. We discussed how we scored tix 2 years in a row to Sony’s party by being pathetic grubs that hounded the staff. What we were doing at con. A little about ourselves. He told us what he was up to. It was real genuine small talk. He stayed with us for about 10 minutes just bullshitting about various things but not before taking pics with us, shaking our hands, and wishing us farewell.

It was such a surreal moment. I don’t really get star struck. I’ve met a ton of folks and worked with some on films I’ve been involved in. I enjoy it but it does nothing inside me. This moment had me all warm and gushy inside though. He could have just chuckled at my poor attempt to make him laugh initially and left politely but he didn’t. He came over and chilled with us. Made us feel special for just a few minutes. I’m sure he never thought about that moment again but I can tell you, the 4 of us will remember it for a lifetime. Thanks Mark.