It is rare for an actor to miss the chance to promote his latest movie on purpose. However, this is what happened during Mark Hamill's visit to the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
Mark Hamill has been in a number of high-budget films ever since he starred in the original Star Wars trilogy as protagonist Luke Skywalker. According to reports in the Daily Mail, Hamill skipped an appearance on The Graham Norton Show with his fellow Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast members in order to pay a visit to the renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital.
In an interview with The Independent, Hamill stated that is his way of giving back to his fans. He says, "One of the greatest things I am given because of the profession I am in is the ability to give back. It feels wonderful." Through the years GOSH has been one of the most celebrated and well-supported hospitals in England. In fact, the English government matches the donations made to the hospital.
Thanks for the check-up Oscar!And to @GreatOrmondSt for inviting me. Happy Holidays to all the boys&girls. Love,mh pic.twitter.com/yD7TDjjvJh
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) December 22, 2015
"Star Wars movies are meant to be a couple of hours of diversion from reality, and we need that," according to Hamill. Just a few weeks before his visit to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, Mark Hamill also paid to Children's Hospital Los Angeles along with some of his cast members.
Hamill met with dozens of patients during his time in GOSH. He could be seen in photographs interacting with fans that know him as one of the greatest heroes ever to grace the silver screen. Seeing children react so positively and excitedly when they met Hamill serves as a testament to how much of an impact the Star Wars films have made.
In a statement, Hamill said, "being an actor is so trivial compared to helping needy children." He also said that he found his visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital to be emotionally harrowing, yet at the same time very uplifting.
