"The best decision I ever made”: Mark Hamill gets emotional thanking wife Marilou during award speech

28th SCAD Savannah Film Festival - Portraits - Source: Getty
28th SCAD Savannah Film Festival - Portraits - Source: Getty

Mark Hamill gave a shoutout to his wife, Marilou, during his acceptance speech at the 2025 San Diego Film Festival. The festival was held from October 15 to 19, 2025, in La Jolla, and Mark was honored with the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence. According to Variety, which sponsored it, the award “honors the career achievements of a film actor, producer or director for their contributions to cinema.”

Mark Hamill collected the award from Carole Horst, the deputy editor of Variety’s features. While accepting the award, The Boy and the Heron actor thanks his wife, Marilou, for nearly fifty years. He concluded his acceptance speech by celebrating his marriage and partner.

“In 1978, I married my former dental hygienist, Marilou Hamill — the best decision I ever made.”

He added:

“She gave me three beautiful children. She’s been with me through thick and thin and the ups and downs in this crazy business. I can’t thank her enough. I love you.”

Mark and Marilou married in 1978 and have three children: Nathan, Griffin, and Chelsea.

In a 2023 interview with Esquire, Mark discussed parenting.

“You have to stay in the moment and stay involved. You just can't assume that things are going to go the way you expected. All three of my kids are different from one another.”

More details on Mark Hamill’s acceptance speech

In addition to thanking his wife during his acceptance speech for the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence at the 2025 San Diego Film Festival, Mark Hamill also appreciated his co-workers and crew.

“I want to share this with the countless people who have helped me over the years because a career in this business is a composite endeavor.”

He added:

“I think of all the writers, directors, other actors and crew. You can’t do it alone. There are so many people who helped me get to where I am today.”

Mark Hamill also shared his reason for becoming an actor.

“I didn’t have high aspirations when I decided to become an actor. My goal was to become a working stiff, do what I loved, be able to make a living at it to pay the bills, and hopefully support a family.”

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Edited by Sarah Nazamuddin Harniswala