10. Nien Nunb
As Seen In: ‘Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi’
Who Is He? Lando Calrissian’s co-pilot during the pivotal Battle of Endor, who got to ride shotgun on The Millennium Falcon. Another one of those by-standers who rarely get the props they deserve but who are — if you were to put yourself in anyone’s space shoes during any epic space battle — totally crucial for victory. Nien Nunb’s distinct double-flapped lower jaw and big coal-black eyeballs instantly make him one of the most endearing minor characters in all of “Star Wars.” And if a good laugh is what you’re after, I recommend this little Nien Nunb nugget.
Defining Characteristic: Toss-up between his Sallustan dialect and his fantastic chuckle.
9. Ponda Baba and Cornelius Evazan
As Seen In: ‘Episode IV: A New Hope’
Who Are They? They’re the first featured representation of the “wretched hive of scum and villainy” that Obi Wan warns Luke about, right before they enter Chalmun’s Cantina. They add that special oddball humor ‘cause they’re drunk and pick a fight with Luke for the hell of it, but when it turns sour their actions not only reveal the first form of frontier justice and violence that is so common on Mos Eisley, but also the first lightsaber-wielding reaction from Obi-Wan. Not only are they the most memorable scum around, but they also make us see the badass side to Obi-Wan Kenobi for the very first time.
Defining Characteristics: Evazan brags about having a death sentence on 12 systems. More defining than Baba’s ball-sack chin and Cornelius’ fucked up eye put together.
8. Bossk & The Other Badass Bounty Hunters Who Aren’t Boba Fett
As Seen In: ‘Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back,’ ‘Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi’
Who Are They? Oh, you know, just the biggest tease in the whole friggin’ saga! Bossk is the intimidating dino-faced bounty hunter (a Trandoshan by birth) who stands out amongst an impressive team of ugly, fearsome dudes called upon by Darth Vader after the failed Battle of Hoth. Their mission? Find the Millennium Falcon. The result? A complete tease, because apart from an initial glimpse (and really just a blink cameo in ‘Return of the Jedi’ from Bossk) we eventually get to meet none of them except for Boba Fett. Now, Boba is cool as shit, but the five guys — Dengar, IG-88, Zuckuss, 4-Lom and Bossk — make such a lasting impression that you start missing them pretty quick, over the course of two films no less. No wonder they’ve been added to countless stories in the expanded universe and comics; their presence alone was enough to intrigue and fascinate.
Defining Characteristics: Being missed opportunities at making the original trilogy even greater than it is.
7. Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes
As Seen In: ‘Episode IV: A New Hope’
Who Are They? The band that plays in Chalmun’s Cantina, where Obi Wan and Luke meet Han and Chewie. All respect to Max Rebo, but they wouldn’t stand a chance in a Galactic Battle of the Bands against these guys. Their bulbous heads and obvious passion for music is one of the first injections of abstract humor in “Star Wars;” an element that quickly evolves into one of the most welcoming tones in the entire original trilogy (something the prequels expertly fail at). For that, for playing a genre of music called Jizz (in reality John Williams’ stuff, which is in and of itself a barrel of laughs) and for having such a terrific stage name, Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes have earned their way to the Top 10.
Defining Characteristic: Expert Jizz players.
6. Admiral Firmus Piett
As Seen In: ‘Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back,’ ‘Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi’
Who Is He? The only Admiral working for the Empire who knows when to shut up and how to talk to his boss. We never see him in ‘A New Hope,’ but logic tells us he was under Grand Moff Tarkin’s wing as nothing more than a novice officer, taking notes and orders, and learning from others’ mistakes. In ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ his moment to shine comes when Admiral Ozzel fails Vader for the last time (as we’ve already discussed), and he’s right there until the bitter end in ‘Return of the Jedi,’ going down with his ship like a real captain (and therefore is the only high ranking Imperial officer who lives through two movies). Kenneth Colley portrays him, and he absolutely nails the shitting-in-the-pants look in all his scenes with Vader.
Defining Characteristic: Being at the right place at the right time, and never getting choked.
