George Lucas didn't just revolutionize the film business with "Star Wars" in 1977, he also turned relative unknowns Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford into overnight superstars. These actors entered homes all over the United States as Kenner action figures, and their images adorned everything from bed sheets to lunch boxes. They were recognizable superstars to children and adults alike.
There was no roadmap to deal with this kind of stardom. The three principal actors knew a second...