Star Wars icon Mark Hamill has opened up about a time when he almost left the United States following the controversial election of former President Donald Trump. The 73-year-old actor, best known for portraying Luke Skywalker, shared with The Times that frustration with the political climate led him to consider moving overseas. His options? England or Ireland—two English-speaking European nations.
Mark Hamill’s Moment of Doubt
Hamill revealed that the decision was left to his wife, Marilou York. ‘She’s very clever,’ he said. ‘She didn’t respond right away, but a week later, she said, “I’m surprised you would allow him to force you out of your own country.” That son of a b*tch, I thought. I’m not leaving.’ York’s perspective ultimately shifted Hamill’s mindset, convincing him to stay in America.
Despite the harsh political realities that led him to consider uprooting his life, Mark Hamill remains hopeful. ‘I still believe there are more honest, decent people than there are the MAGA crowd,’ the BAFTA-winning actor stated. ‘If I didn’t, I’d move back to England.’
Finding Solace Away from Toxicity
Lately, Hamill has turned away from platforms like Facebook and Twitter, opting instead for a quieter digital life on BlueSky. Reflecting on the chaos of modern politics, he remarked, ‘The bullying, the incompetence, the people in place—it’s maddening. The only way I can deal with it without going crazy is by treating it like a sprawling political novel.’
Hamill criticized decisions he perceives as damaging to the U.S.’s global reputation. ‘Our status in the world has been crippled, and that will reverberate for decades,’ he said. Despite his political frustrations, the celebrated actor uses humor to cope, joking about the absurdity of certain policies like ‘making Canada a 51st state’ and ‘renaming the Gulf of Mexico.’
Celebrities and the Migration Trend
Hamill is not alone in contemplating relocation. Angelina Jolie, 50, reportedly plans to leave the country after her youngest children, twins Knox and Vivienne, turn 18 in 2026. She’s already preparing her six-bedroom estate, originally owned by famed director Cecil B. DeMille, for sale. Jolie has expressed discontent with the political climate, and a source revealed she’s ‘eyeing several locations abroad.’
Similarly, Rosie O’Donnell, 63, has already made the move, living in Ireland with her youngest child, who is non-binary and has autism. Ellen DeGeneres, 67, and her wife Portia de Rossi, 52, have also relocated to England, citing concerns about the potential rollback of same-sex marriage rights. ‘If that happens, Portia and I are already looking into remarrying here,’ DeGeneres told the BBC.
A Rising Trend of Emigration
The trend of high-profile Americans looking abroad isn’t limited to celebrities. CNN recently reported a record number of Americans applying for British citizenship during the first quarter of 2025. For many, the idea of starting over in another country stems from political and social unrest, though financial and logistical barriers remain significant obstacles.
Even with these challenges, public interest in emigration continues to grow, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction and uncertainty about the future of the United States. For figures like Hamill, Jolie, and others, the thought of leaving their homeland exemplifies the deep divides shaping the national narrative.