The 66-year-old actor, who reprises his iconic role of Luke Skywalker in the upcoming “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”, will be recognised at the 13th edition of the awards which will be held at J J Abrams’ Bad Robot in Santa Monica in March 2018, according to a statement released by US-Ireland Alliance, the company behind the awards.
US-Ireland Alliance’s Trina Vargo said the actor had spent a good deal of time in Ireland during the shooting of the film.
“With Luke Skywalker to feature prominently in the Rian Johnson-directed, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Mark has spent a good deal of time filming in Ireland. It seems especially appropriate that we honour him in 2018,” said Vargo.
Hamill said that he had attended the awards in 2015 with his “dear friend” late Carrie Fisher, who had received an award.
“Now it’s my honour to be recognised by the US-Ireland Alliance in the same way. I find it meaningful because Ireland has always had a very special place in my heart, both personally and professionally,” said Hamill, who has Irish ancestry.
Abrams, the director of “The Force Awakens” and the next instalment in the series, was made an “honorary” Irishman in 2010.
Fisher and actor Daisy Ridley were also awarded by the non-profit company which promotes contemporary US-Ireland ties.
In the past, the awards have honoured Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Ruth Negga, Lenny Abrahamson, Sarah Greene, and Caitriona Balfe; Irish-Americans Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, and Martin Short.
