Rich Feezle Anakin Skywalker

Being born in Yuma, Arizona while the Sarlacc scene from Return of the Jedi was being filmed must have been an omen. Rich Feezle can not remember Star Wars not being a part of his life. His first experience in the Star Wars universe was at a young age when he watched the original trilogy with his father on VHS.

It wasn't until junior high school, when he really got hooked. Mainly focusing on the expanded universe, there was not a Star Wars novel that he didn't have his nose in at one point. When the Special Edition Trilogy was released in theaters, he was there at the opening of each one. When the Phantom Menace was released, he was there, lightsaber in hand. Taking it a step further, for Attack of the Clones, Rich's first Star Wars costume was debuted. He was featured on the news, and the front page of the local newspaper dressed as Anakin Skywalker.

The day that Revenge of the Sith was released was an important one. Not only did it mark the first time that Rich trooped with the 501st, but it was also the day he met his future wife.

In 2005, Rich joined the 501st as the Ohio Garrison's Anakin Skywalker. He hasn't looked back since. Portraying the "Chosen One" is a great experience. Rich is one of the few people in the 501st that has always played the same character. He doesn't own any other Star Wars costumes and he has no desire to. Rich and Danielle are very active in the Ohio Garrison. It is a very rare month that they don't have some kind of event, and during the peak months they are no stranger to trooping in at multiple events in the same weekend.

Being fascinated with lightsabers for as long as he could remember, helping create the Masters of the Force was a dream come true. It is harder than it looks, but nothing could be more rewarding. Rich and Sean created their Battle of the Heroes duel from scratch. Very little of the duel is from the actual movie. It is a compilation of moves that they had learned from behind the scenes footage, and ones they came up with themselves. They did their best to push the envelope. Timing and precision are very important, because striking too soon,or swinging to low can leave scars. Putting a smile on a child's face makes all of the time, money, sweat, and blood worth it.

Rich works for a major software development firm. He currently lives in Youngstown, Ohio with his wife and two four-legged children.

For Rich Feezle, Star Wars is Forever...or at least until Sean gives him brain damage.