SWC Why doesn't Star Wars launch careers?

None of the actors in Star Wars have had their careers launched or restarted due to their involvement in Star Wars. In fact, it either has minimal effect (Portman) or mark the beginning of a career slide (Billy Dee). Each of the six films have been among the most successful of all-time. Why didn't this translate into mainstream success for the actors involved?

I know, I know, the elephant in the room is Harrison Ford. Even Harrison admits that it was Raiders propelled his career and even that came about due to his relationship with Lucas and Tom Selleck dropping out. In an interview from 1980 that appears on the Indiana Jones Blu-ray set, he says that he didn’t get the kind of scripts he had hoped for until Raiders of the Lost Ark came along.

Is Star Wars so niche that it automatically typecasts Carrie or Mark or Hugh Quarshie (Who? Exactly my point)?

 

Science fiction/fantasy is the Rodney Dangerfield of film. It gets no respect.

 

well Portman seems to be doing very well for herself

Mark is THE joker to many people (myself included) and has done many other great voice work

Carrie Fisher has had success as a scriptwriter//doctor, even through all her struggles

Ian McDiarmid is successful in theatre as is Kenny Baker

I think they've all done well for themselves in their careers

besides most A list celebrities are overrated and quite simply some cannot act.

 

In addition the actors that attend conventions like Comic Con seem to attract quite a few fans - even the ones who had smaller/bit parts in the films. That can't be bad.

 

Baz and LAJ make good points too

 

In the cases of the Sirs they had most of their career prior to SW. Yet even following it both did fine. Peter largely returned to television work and also focused on painting. Chris has music work, had another hit with LotR and is a talented writer. Just because we don't see them on the screen all the time doesn't mean SW is a blight in their history or that those involved aren't successful.

 

In addition some actors gained international recognition - before AOTC, who outside of Australia/New Zealand had heard of Temuera Morrison (Jango), Leeanna Walsman (Zam) or Rena Owen (Taun We)?

 

I explored Susie Porter's and Claudia Karvan's filmographies because of Attack of the Clones. I always think of Joel Edgerton as Uncle Owen and his career has been going nicely in recent years. While Hayden Christensen and some others aren't major stars, I don't know of any tragic former cast members other than Carrie Fisher and she is still doing well. It's not like she is distancing herself from the franchise or not being asked to participate.

 

Christopher Lee is doing great, but that guy is immortal so it doesn't count.

 

The Star Wars saga isn't... y'know... exactly known for the quality of its acting. For all the strengths of the films, their written dialogue and direction just don't seem to consistently eke out great performances.

Plus, keep in mind that GL tended to emphasize fresh faces over proven talent, so it's not surprising that SW was the highlight of most acting careers.

Hopefully JJ & co. will be better able to cast actors that have both novelty and staying power.