The actor who played Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars franchise has revealed how the vicious backlash against the character left him close to suicide.
Ahmed Best provided the voice and motion capture for the gawky CGI alien in the Star Wars prequels, beginning with 1999’s Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
At the time he was 25, and it was his first major film role.
Sadly for Best, the reception from fans and the media was terrible.
Jar Jar Binks quickly became the most hated character in the Star Wars universe, and critics branded Best’s cartoonish portrayal a dumbed-down exercise in child-pleasing – or worse, a racist stereotype with a misplaced Caribbean accent.
Best did not name the Star Wars films in his emotional post, but shared a picture with his young son, writing: “20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life.
“It’s still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy is my gift for survival. Would this be a good story for my solo show? Lemme know.”
The message provoked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow Star Wars alumni – including director Rian Johnson, whose work includes Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
“Lots of love to you Ahmed,” Johnson tweeted. “I think there are many of us who’d get quite a lot from hearing your story.”
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