Star Wars Heroes: My Personal Favorites

Star Wars, at its heart, is a story of heroes and villains. That’s what makes it so timeless and why Joseph Campbell was drawn to it, writing about its connections to mythology in The Power of Myth. So I sat down and made a list of my favorite Star Wars Heroes.

Star Wars heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but they share one trait: they put others before themselves. Whether they’re Jedi, Rebels, or former villains, their acts of courage and selflessness define them.

I originally wrote this the week The Last Jedi came out, so I figured it was time to revisit it. These are the characters that stand out to me for their courage, growth, and sacrifices.

Before diving into the list, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Characters from the High Republic are not included as I’m starting to work through that series.
• This isn’t a definitive list. These are just my personal favorites, based on the Star Wars media I’ve experienced—movies, TV shows, and a mix of EU and new canon. I haven’t read or watched everything, so your list will likely be different. Please share it in the comments below.
• No ranking. These heroes are all special in their way, so there’s no particular order here.

Now, let’s talk about my favorite Star Wars heroes.

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Cut Lawquane

Yes, Cut Lawquane is a deserter. But that doesn’t mean he’s not a hero. He was designed to be a soldier, but he chose not to be. Instead, he built a family and became their protector. From their point of view, he’s their hero, and I think that’s a great story. His episode in The Clone Wars is one of the most compelling one-offs in all of Star Wars.

I have yet to see The Bad Batch, so I’m not sure what they do with his character.

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Hera Syndulla

To me, Hera Syndulla is one of the best leaders in the Star Wars saga. She cares deeply for her crew, but she never loses sight of the bigger picture. Hera’s ability to balance personal relationships with the needs of the Rebellion is unmatched. Even in Ahsoka, this is evident, as she knows that the right thing doesn’t always mean following rules.

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R2-D2

If being a hero is about putting others before yourself, then R2-D2 absolutely qualifies. Time and again, R2 risks destruction to save his friends and fight for the greater good. Whether it’s repairing ships, hacking systems, or delivering critical messages, R2 is fearless and selfless. Plus, he’s got a heart of gold—even if he’s all circuits.

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Leia Organa

Leia is THE leader of the Star Wars saga.

She stepped into this role long before we met her in A New Hope, and she handled it with wisdom and maturity far beyond her years. Leia’s heroism began in childhood, and she never wavered. Her ability to balance her duties as a leader with her losses makes her one of the greatest heroes in Star Wars.

It is a shame that we couldn’t see what she could have become in Rise of Skywalker.

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Han Solo

Han Solo is the very definition of a reluctant hero. He doesn’t set out to do the right thing, but he can’t help himself. And while Han often claims he’s in it for the money, his actions show that he’s loyal to his friends. He’s not a hero for the galaxy—he’s a hero for the people he loves, and that’s more than enough. He’s a scoundrel, sure, but a heroic one.

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Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker is THE hero of the Star Wars saga. For much of the story, the galaxy revolves around him—his growth, his struggles, and his triumphs. What makes Luke so compelling is how unprepared he is for the weight of his destiny.

He’s whiny, unsure, and reckless at first, but over time, he grows into a confident and powerful Jedi. Even then, he knows the risks of his choices, and he takes them anyway. I couldn’t wait to see where his journey would go in The Last Jedi.

And then, even though I don’t like it, he found himself again. He didn’t live long enough to be the villain. He lived long enough to save others.

He remained a hero.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a hero because of his humanity. He’s not perfect—he shows favoritism, struggles with his emotions, and even admits he would have left the Jedi Order for love.

But despite his flaws, he always strives to do the right thing. Sometimes that means serving the greater good; other times, it’s about saving one person. His imperfections make him one of the most relatable Jedi in Star Wars.

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Asajj Ventress

Not all heroes start that way. Sometimes, the hero’s journey takes a detour through the villain’s arc. That’s the case for Asajj Ventress. If you don’t think of her as a hero, I recommend reading Christie Golden’s Dark Disciple. It’s one of the best Star Wars books I’ve ever read, and it shows how complex and heroic Ventress really is.

As of this update, I haven’t seen Bad Batch or anything she has been in recently.

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Ahsoka Tano

Ahsoka Tano is the character who grew the most throughout The Clone Wars. She learned from her mistakes, adapted to her circumstances, and became one of the most inspiring heroes in the Star Wars universe. Ahsoka understands that sometimes, following the rules isn’t the same as doing what’s right. She went from being my least favorite character to my absolute favorite.

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Rey Skywalker

I get the trepidation with the sequel trilogy. As of right now, it isn’t my favorite. But there was something very special about Rey, even if both the plot and the fans drag around her character.

Rey didn’t ask for any of what she got. She just wanted to know who she was and why she was abandoned.

Yet, she never waivers. It is not until the end that she truly believes in herself. However, she always believes in the other heroes of the story: Luke, Leia, and Han. She never doubts them. She does her best to learn from them.

I believe Abrams clumsily handled the calling of Rey as Skywalker, but I do think she earned it. She learned from both Leia and Luke, internalizing everything about them that made them heroes.

Who Didn’t Make the List?

There are plenty of characters I left off this list—not because they aren’t heroic, but because they aren’t my personal favorites. For example, Yoda is undeniably a hero, but he often gets too caught up in what a Jedi should be and forgets to see them as individuals. Similarly, characters like Lando Calrissian have heroic moments, but they don’t embody heroism consistently enough to make this list. And even though they had the perfect actors for the roles, Poe and Finn weren’t fleshed out enough by the creators to be included here.

Chewy probably deserves to be on this list, but I really need to watch the sequel trilogy again. My memory of him is fuzzy.

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Who are your favorite Star Wars Heroes?

So now, I want to hear from you—who are your favorite Star Wars heroes?

May the Force be with you!

Note: Images sourced from StarWars.com. Used under fair use for commentary and criticism. All rights belong to Lucasfilm Ltd. and The Walt Disney Company.

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