Anthony Daniels, the actor who portrayed C-3PO in Star Wars, talks about his troubling experience with the iconic gold-plated suit in a resurfaced interview on the franchise's 40th anniversary.
In a 2020 interview with Role Recall, the 77-year-old actor shared the initial difficulties he faced while wearing the suit, saying, "And, of course, in the making [of the film], I would stand there covered in this fiberglass stuff, and the itching afterward was horrific."
He also recounted a frightening experience during the filming
of Return of the Jedi, where he suffered a panic attack while filming a
scene with Salacious B. Crumb. "I got something that I understand was
claustrophobia. Instant panic," he said.
"Suddenly my world had
changed and I’m yelling, ‘Get me out! Get me out!’ And [the head of my
costume] was off in seconds. I'd never had that experience before. It gave
me an insight into what some people suffer, a phobia."
Despite the challenges, Daniels is grateful for his role in the
Star Wars franchise and the impact it has had on fans.
He also
admitted feeling embarrassed by Threepio's disco dancing in Return of the
Jedi but is happy to have been a part of such a beloved series.