Ahmed Best, the guy who played Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars, went through some serious rough patches. Fans didn’t hold back; they slammed him with criticism and harassment, making his life pretty miserable. The heat got so intense that Best had some dark thoughts about calling it quits.
This is more than just showbiz drama; it’s about how hardcore fandom messes with the heads of folks who bring our favorite characters to life. The 50-year-old’s journey sheds light on the toll this kind of intense scrutiny can take on mental health.
Ahmed Best Contemplated Suicide Due To Star Wars Character Backlash
Ahmed Best, who brought Jar Jar Binks to life in Star Wars, recently spilled the beans on the serious hate he got from fans. Playing Jar Jar seemed like a dream come true for Best, who went from dancing in a troupe to landing a role in George Lucas’s blockbuster.
But reality hit hard. The backlash was brutal; fans didn’t just hate the character, they aimed their anger at him too.
In an interview with The Guardian, the actor revealed how the relentless fan fury left him feeling depressed and desperate. At one low point, he even contemplated ending it all on the Brooklyn Bridge. He disclosed,
“I’ll show all of you. I’ll show you what you’re doing to me. And when I’m gone, then you’ll feel exactly what I went through.”
But it wasn’t just a one-time thing. The hate train kept chugging along, with websites dedicated to bashing his character and talk show hosts taking jabs at him whenever they could.
Things got even scarier when his personal information got leaked, and he started receiving death threats. Leaving his apartment became a nightmare.
Despite all the negativity, Best’s love for Star Wars never faded. He even landed another role in the franchise, playing a Jedi named Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian. But the scars from the Jar Jar backlash run deep.
Best’s story isn’t just about one actor’s struggle; it’s a reminder of the dark side of fandom. When fans’ passion turns toxic, it can have real-life consequences.
The comedian’s courage in speaking outshines light on the need to address the harmful effects of fan behavior on the mental health of those in the spotlight. And he’s not alone; other Star Wars stars felt the sting of the Jar Jar Binks backlash too.
Star Wars Prequel Criticism Stung Liam Neeson And Ewan McGregor
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Criticism really got to Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor in the Star Wars prequels. It was a big deal in 1999 when Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace hit theaters.
It gave us a peek into the early days of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order, with fresh faces and younger versions of old favorites. Fast forward to now, celebrating its 25th anniversary, and the cast is reflecting on the legacy.
McGregor and Neeson, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn, took a trip down memory lane. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The debut of Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks stirred up a lot of hate online, as was disclosed earlier.
Neeson didn’t hold back when he talked to Empire magazine. He mentioned,
“Ahmed was so funny and inventive. Myself and Ewan were personally hurt and offended by the critical reaction to the character.”
Both he and McGregor felt personally stung by the harsh criticism aimed at the character. Jar Jar Binks, created by George Lucas for comic relief, ended up being one of the most debated characters in Star Wars history.
Some loved his clumsy charm, while others couldn’t stand him. The debate has been raging for 25 years. The backlash hit them on a personal level, showing that being a Jedi isn’t always easy, even off-screen.
