Warning: This post now contains major spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The Star Wars universe is a dangerous one, from its epic lightsaber battles to shootouts with clones to massive starship explosions. Throughout the saga, 111 major characters (defined as anyone who’s had some impact on the plot) have met their end.
Now that you’ve had a chance to continue the galaxy far, far away journey in The Rise of Skywalker, the final installment in the nine-part “Skywalker Saga” out Dec. 20, take a few minutes to remember all those who have been lost.
Note: This list, which is compiled in chronological order of events in the movies, covers deaths in the nine episodic Star Wars movies and Rogue One. It doesn’t include Star Wars Legends, the franchise’s expanded universe.
May the Force be with you.
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Mace Windu
Role: Jedi Master and most senior member of the Jedi High Council after Grand Master Yoda
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Light
Time of death: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
And how: Fell to his death when he was sent flying out a window by Palpatine’s Force lightning after being betrayed by Anakin
Rune Haako
Role: Official of the Trade Federation, lieutenant to Nute Gunray and a member of the Separatist Council
Species: Neimoidian
Side of the Force: Neutral
Time of death: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
And how: Killed with a lightsaber by Anakin under orders from Palpatine to kill all Separatist leaders
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Role: Jedi Master who was the Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn and the mentor to both Anakin and Luke
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Light
Time of death: Episode IV: A New Hope
And how: Allowed himself to be killed in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader so Luke could escape the Death Star — he later returned as a Force ghost
Dyer
Role: Colonel in the Imperial Army and one of the commanders of the second Death Star’s shield generator bunker
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Dark
Time of death: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
And how: Fell over a platform railing after being hit with a box of explosive charges thrown by Han Solo
Arvel Crynyd
Role: A-wing starfighter pilot serving with Green Squadron in the Rebel Alliance
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Light
Time of death: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
And now: Sacrificed himself by flying his starfighter into the bridge of the Super Star Destroyer Executor in order to destroy the ship during the Battle of Endor
Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader)
Role: Chosen One of Jedi prophecy, Padawan of Obi-Wan, Jedi Knight of the Galactic Republic, husband of Padmé, father of Luke and Leia, and Sith Lord of the Galactic Empire
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Light turned dark turned light
Time of death: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
And how: Sacrificed himself to kill Palpatine and save Luke — bringing balance to the Force and fulfilling the prophecy of the Chosen One — but later returned as a Force ghost
Ackbar
Role: Admiral in the Rebel Alliance and Resistance
Species: Mon Calamari
Side of the Force: Light
Time of death: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
And how: Blown up inside the Raddus by the First Order during the Resistance’s evacuation of D’Qar
Phasma
Role: Captain in the First Order
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Dark
Time of death: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
And how: Fell into the fire consuming the Supremacy after being beaten by Finn in hand-to-hand combat
Luke Skywalker
Role: Jedi Master who was the son of Anakin and Padmé, Padawan of Obi-Wan and Yoda, and mentor to Ben Solo and Rey
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Light
Time of death: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
And how: Surrendered himself to the Force after casting a projection of himself to Crait to battle Kylo Ren but later returned as a Force ghost
Leia Organa
Role: Princess of the planet Alderaan, member of the Imperial Senate, agent of the Rebel Alliance and general in the Resistance who was the daughter of Anakin and Padmé, wife of Han Solo, mother of Ben Solo and mentor to Rey
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Light
Time of death: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
And how: Channeled her remaining life force into reaching her son through the Force to bring him back to the Light Side but later returned as a Force ghost
Emperor Palpatine (Darth Sidious)
Role: Sith Lord who was the last Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, Emperor of the Galactic Empire and mastermind behind the First Order
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Dark
Time of death: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
And how: Cheated death after being thrown down the reactor shaft of the second Death Star by Darth Vader before being killed by his own Force lightning rebounding off Rey’s lightsabers
Ben Solo (Kylo Ren)
Role: Supreme Leader of the First Order who was the son of Han and Leia, Padawan of Luke, apprentice to Snoke and master of the Knights of Ren
Species: Human
Side of the Force: Light turned dark turned light
Time of death: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
And how: Became one with the Force after transferring his remaining energy into Rey to save her life