Alec Guinness | Star Wars

English actor Alec Guinness was knighted in 1959. While he started his career in theater, he acted in several movies over the course of his life. Perhaps, he was most notable for portraying Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy. His appearance in the George Lucas film earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards.

Having his name on the credits was a draw for moviegoers to see the first-ever Star Wars movie in 1977. Did you know he earned millions for his starring role? Thanks to his previous accomplishments, the actor received a salary that matched his experience and skill. You’d be surprised to know that instead of taking a flat rate, Guinness wisely decided to command a portion of the movie’s profits. He earned $3.3 million for the first series and, overall, a cool $50 million.