When Star Wars opened in 1977, Alec Guinness (Kenobi) wrote in his diary “Am pinning my hopes on Star Wars percentage which could bring me £100K or more if it does Jaws business, as predicted.” He end

He deserves it all if only for his masterwork in the criminally underrated Kind Hearts and Coronets.

The film opened May 25, 1977, and Guinness’ stunned response to its reception was captured in his diary. On May 27: “Splendid news of reaction to Star Wars continues to come in.” On June 3: “Am pinning my hopes on Star Wars percentage which could bring me £100,000 or more if it does Jaws business, as predicted.”

The film exceeded Jaws‘ business, grossing over $300 million in its initial release — earning Guinness more than $7 million immediately ($33 million today) and an estimated $95 million by the time of his death in 2000 at 86. Despite that unheard-of salary for what amounted to 20 minutes of screen time, Guinness was reluctant to come back for a sequel.

Over lunch at Morton’s in 1979, Lucas asked him if he would consider returning for “a couple of days” of work on Star Wars II — later known as The Empire Strikes Back. One week later, Guinness wrote in his diary, “I said yes to a day’s work on Star Wars II … It’s dull rubbishy stuff but, seeing what I owe to George Lucas, I finally hadn’t had the heart to refuse.”

20 minutes of screen time being Alec Guinness, acting a role. It’s that second part that gets all the money.