Biography

Phil Brown

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Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Phil Brown was the son of a doctor whose work took the family all around the country. After majoring in dramatics at Stanford University, Brown played some of his earliest stage roles as part of New York's Group Theatre. When it folded, he and other Group Theatre vets headed to Hollywood, where Brown worked in motion pictures and helped found the fabled Actors' Laboratory. His association with the Lab came back to haunt him later in the decade, when its members fell under the scrutiny of the House Un-American Activities Committee, and Brown was eventually compelled to relocate with his family to England, UK. Overseas he was able to resume acting on stage, TV and films; he also directed for the stage and TV. He returned to the U.S. in the 1990s and made the rounds of autograph shows.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tom Weaver <TomWeavr@aol.com>

Blacklisted in 1952; exiled to London 1953-1993.
Worked in stage and film for more than 30 years but his small role in "Star Wars" made him a celebrity. He became a popular figure at science fiction conventions.
His brief role as Luke Skywalker's Uncle Owen in the film Star Wars was his most memorable role. He was cast after George Lucas was looking for an an actor with a strong American accent. Brown, who was living in London after being blacklisted in the McCarthy communist-witch hunt of the 1950s, auditioned and won the role instantly.
Blamed former Screen Actor's Guild President Ronald Reagan for accusing him of being a communist.
In his later years, he often made appearances at Star Wars conventions. During these appearances, he got to meet Joel Edgerton, who succeeded him in the prequels.

[on his role in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) ][Owen] was a straight-forward curmudgeon - which I am anyway, so it was easy for me to play. I've been a curmudgeon for a long time.
[his thoughts on being remembered as Owen Lars]: I certainly have no regrets about playing this role which seems to have been so important to so many young people over the years. It is very rewarding to meet fans young and old who have a genuinely personal relation to Uncle Owen.

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