12 Obscure Star Wars Characters That Were Turned Into Action Figures

From the casual viewer of the acclaimed Star Wars trilogy to the most dedicated fans who can recite even the most trivial lines from the original movies, everyone knows Chewbacca, Yoda, Greedo, a random Sand Person, a small Jawa, or a furry Ewok. However, what about the more obscure Star Wars characters from the original trilogy (Episodes IV-VI) whose action figures were once a common sight on store shelves nationwide?

Despite their brief appearances on screen, these unique humanoid creatures have captured the hearts of both children and collectors. Whether they were enjoying a drink at Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina in A New Hope or acting as sycophants in Jabba the Hutt’s palace in The Return of the Jedi, these odd characters were immortalized by the Kenner toy company during the golden age of one of the most iconic toy lines ever created.

All the details provided here are sourced from my book, The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Star Wars: 1977-1985, available at reputable retailers across the galaxy.

1. Amanaman

The Toy: Kenner introduced Amanaman as part of their coveted Power of the Force line in 1985. This figure depicts a strange, worm-like creature clutching a staff adorned with skulls. While the toy portrays a simple design, the Star Wars Expanded Universe (now classified under the Star Wars Legends banner as of April 14, 2014) reveals Amanaman as a far more intricate and layered character.

The Character: Amanaman, a male Amani from the forested planet Maridun, belonged to the Amanin species, known for their unique physical traits. These included disproportionately long arms, slender fingers, short legs, and a flatworm-like body covered in wrinkled yellow skin with a dark green hood extending from head to toe. To survive, Amanin secreted a toxic slime to keep their skin hydrated and deter predators. Their adaptations also included small red eyes for night vision, sharp teeth and an elongated tongue for hunting, a strong sense of smell for tracking, and a redundant organ system—multiple hearts, livers, lungs, and brains with numerous nerve clusters—that enabled them to endure severe injuries.

Additionally, the Amanin species utilized two distinct methods of movement: brachiation, where they swung through forest canopies using their lengthy arms and slender fingers, much like Tarzan, and ground rolling, where they curled their flexible bodies into a ball to achieve speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour on flat terrain.

Amanaman, true to his species' nature, was infamous as a 'head hunter,' known for collecting the heads of his victims as trophies. Often seen at Jabba’s Palace, he carried a menacing staff adorned with three of his prized skulls and trailed a dried, headless corpse behind him—though the latter was notably absent from his action figure.

2. Squid Head/Tessek

The Toy: Squid Head, a clever Quarren, was one of the standout figures in Kenner’s 1983 Return of the Jedi lineup. The figure featured a detailed desert cloak, a cream-colored robe designed to retain moisture, a flexible silver 'Vand' belt around the waist, and a gray DH-17 blaster pistol, making it one of the most intricate designs of its time.

The Character: Squid Head, a member of the Quarren species, originated from the ocean-covered planet Dac, also known as Mon Calamari. Quarren were aquatic beings with squid-like heads, leathery skin that needed constant moisture, suction-tipped fingers, and four or more tentacles used for handling food. Their unique physiology included neck holes for breathing, mysterious sac-like organs on their heads, and triangular flaps with gills that aided hearing. As natural swimmers, they could dive up to 300 meters without breathing equipment.

Tessek, a Quarren male, initially supported the Republic but fled when the Galactic Empire invaded his home. A shrewd opportunist, he eventually settled on Tatooine, joining Jabba the Hutt’s court as an accountant. Despite the planet’s harsh heat, which required him to soak in water for hours daily, and Jabba’s abusive nature, Tessek plotted to overthrow the Hutt. Although he survived the destruction of Jabba’s sail barge by Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, his fate took a dark turn soon after.

After Jabba’s demise, Tessek’s brain was forcibly extracted and placed into a B’omarr Monk’s mechanical frame. The B’omarr Order, a secretive religious group, believed enlightenment could only be achieved by severing all physical sensations. Members’ brains were removed and housed in modified BT-16 droids, where they contemplated the universe’s mysteries.

3. Hammerhead/Momaw Nadon

The Toy: Hammerhead, one of the earliest alien figures produced by Kenner in 1978, was part of the second wave of Star Wars toys. Unlike his on-screen appearance, this action figure stood out as one of the first four non-human characters, alongside Chewbacca, the Sand People, and the Jawas.

The term 'Hammerhead,' often deemed offensive by the Ithorian species, referred to a member of the herbivorous, mammalian Ithorians. Known for their unique physiology, including dual mouths on their necks, four throats enabling stereo speech or powerful screams, glossy brown skin, and slightly sluggish reflexes, Kenner’s Hammerhead figure accurately depicted a typical adult male Ithorian.

With only limited reference material from Lucasfilm, such as photos of cantina patron masks, Kenner’s designers faced the challenge of creating Hammerhead, Greedo, Snaggletooth, and Walrus Man from scratch below the waist. This led to a Hammerhead figure missing his staff and featuring inaccurate colors and uniform details.

The Character: Known for his elongated, curved neck and T-shaped head resembling a hammerhead shark, Hammerhead was Kenner’s name for Momaw Nadon, an Ithorian high priest from Tafanda Bay. Exiled for sharing his planet’s agricultural secrets with the Galactic Empire to save Ithor from destruction, Nadon was punished by the Ithorian Elders. He eventually settled on Tatooine and was seen in Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina during Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s search for transport to Alderaan in A New Hope.

4. Walrus Man/Ponda Baba (Sawkee)

The Toy: Collectors recognize this Kenner figure as Walrus Man due to its walrus-like tusks, but in Star Wars lore, the character is named Ponda Baba, also called Sawkee. This name has been used in all Hasbro-produced versions of the toy since 1995, starting with their Power of the Force II series.

The Character: This pirate and smuggler’s notorious bad temper stemmed from his species’ natural disposition. As an Aqualish from Ando, Baba was part of an amphibious, tusked race known for their aggressive and unpleasant behavior. His appearance combined traits of pinnipeds, like seals and sea lions, with arachnid features, such as spiders and scorpions, creating a uniquely unsettling look. His downward-curving tusks, resembling a spider’s fangs, only added to his intimidating presence.

Baba and his partner, the infamous Dr. Evazan, a sociopathic surgeon with a death sentence in 12 systems, were pursued by bounty hunters for their criminal activities. Fleeing to Tatooine to avoid capture, the duo found themselves in Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina. There, they encountered Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Despite the humans’ peaceful demeanor, Baba and Evazan provoked a confrontation. When Baba attacked Luke, Kenobi intervened, severing Baba’s arm in the ensuing fight.

A notable inconsistency appears in Baba’s scene in A New Hope. Before the fight, Baba’s arms have fin-like hands, but after Kenobi cuts off his arm, the severed limb on the floor is distinctly furry. This discrepancy led West End Games to suggest there are two Aqualish species, differentiated by their hand structures: one with fin-like, thumbed hands and the other with clawed, fur-covered hands.

5. Ugnaught

The Toy: Despite their limited screen time in The Empire Strikes Back, the Ugnaughts inspired Kenner to create a figure representing this small alien species. The toy came with unique accessories, including a blue (or sometimes purple) fabric apron and a white plastic toolkit.

The Character: Ugnaughts, with their pig-like snouts and tusks, were brought to Cloud City by the explorer Lord Ecclessis Figg to construct the manufacturing plant. In exchange, they gained control over the facility and representation in Cloud City’s Parliament of Guilds. These industrious beings worked in the processing plants, extracting tibanna gas from beldons, which was used to power blasters and explosives. They packaged the gas in carbonite bricks, ensuring Cloud City’s profitability under Lando Calrissian.

Generations ago, Ugnaughts were enslaved and taken from their swampy, volcanic homeworld, Gentes, due to their intelligence, resilience, and long lifespans (up to 200 years). Their skills in their “blood profession,” passed down through generations, made them valuable to slavers, especially during the rise of the Galactic Empire.

6. Nien Nunb

The Toy: Nien Nunb was initially offered as a mail-away promotion on the back of Kenner’s first Return of the Jedi action figure packaging (ROTJ 48-A card back) and later included in the first wave of Kenner’s Return of the Jedi figures.

The Character: A key ally of the Rebel Alliance, Nien Nunb played a crucial role in the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi. As Lando Calrissian’s co-pilot on the Millennium Falcon, he assisted in firing the shots that destroyed the second Death Star, effectively ending the Galactic Empire’s dominance.

Nien Nunb was the one who delivered the decisive blow that brought down the Galactic Empire.

As a Sullustan, Nien Nunb, with his species’ distinctive small ears and facial dewflaps, grew up in the underground caves of Sullust. The planet’s toxic atmosphere and mineral-rich crust forced the Sullustans to live in a vast network of tunnels. This environment gave them exceptional night vision, allowing them to see up to 20 meters in complete darkness, and an innate sense of direction, making them exceptional navigators and pilots for the Rebel Alliance.

7. Ree-Yees

The Toy: Ree-Yees stands out as one of the most unusual figures in Kenner’s 1983 Return of the Jedi lineup. Alongside his bizarre appearance, the toy featured a unique gold-covered blaster-staff, adding to its distinctiveness.

The Character: Ree-Yees, a male Gran from the peaceful planet Kinyen, was a three-eyed, goat-like humanoid with a stocky build and herbivorous diet. Unlike most Gran, Ree-Yees had a genetic mutation causing his hands to appear swollen and deformed. His species, known for their multi-chambered stomachs, thrived on plant matter like Goatgrass, native to Kinyen’s plains.

While Gran society was generally peaceful, Ree-Yees was a notorious criminal wanted for murder on Kinyen. He fled to Tatooine, where he became a fixture in Jabba’s Palace in Return of the Jedi. His primary role was caring for Jabba’s grotesque Frog-dog pet, Bubo, a sentient reptile with frog and dog-like traits.

To ensure Ree-Yees’ loyalty, Jabba implanted a short-range explosive in his body, triggered by a specific phrase. This device served dual purposes: eliminating Ree-Yees if he betrayed Jabba and deterring assassins who might target him. Despite the constant danger, Ree-Yees conspired with Tessek to kill Jabba aboard the Khetanna. Tragically, Ree-Yees died when Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia destroyed the sail skiff, killing everyone on board.

8. Prune Face/Orrimaarko

The Toy: Prune Face, a standout figure in Kenner’s second wave of Return of the Jedi toys, is instantly recognizable in any Star Wars collection. With his unique facial features, long tan hooded cape, green pants, and a brown 12-round projectile rifle with a shoulder sling, this vintage figure is truly one of a kind.

The Character: Orrimaarko, known as “Prune Face” due to his wrinkled appearance, was a key leader in his planet’s fight against the Empire. As a Dressellian, he belonged to a tall, thin species with hairless, bulbous heads and wrinkled skin. Though Dressellians were once peaceful and isolated, the Imperial threat forced them to join the Rebel Alliance and later the New Republic.

Working alongside their Bothan allies, Orrimaarko and the Dressellians developed their signature weapon: the Dressellian projectile rifle. Despite being less advanced than blasters, this rifle was powerful enough to penetrate the plastoid armor of Imperial Scout Troopers with ease.

9. Yak Face/Saelt-Marae

The Toy: Yak Face is one of the rarest vintage Star Wars action figures, as it was never released in the U.S. It appeared on only two packaging variants, each with distinct values. The more common Tri-Logo card, distributed internationally, featured Star Wars logos in English, French, and Spanish but lacked the collector’s coin. The second version, on a Canadian Power of the Force card, included both English and French text and came with a special collector’s coin. This version also included accessories like a Palace Blaster, Bespin Blaster, or Skiff Guard battle staff.

The Character: Yak Face, officially named Saelt-Marae in West End Games’ Star Wars Trilogy Sourcebook, Special Edition, appeared in Return of the Jedi as part of Jabba’s court.

Saelt-Marae, a Yarkora, was a secretive con artist and informant. Little is known about his early life, but he left his family to pursue a life of crime, excelling in information brokering and scams. His large ears, sensitive whiskers, and sharp interpersonal skills made him adept at extracting secrets from wealthy targets. While he sold information to both the Rebel Alliance and the Empire, his primary client was Jabba the Hutt, who valued him so highly that he became a trusted member of Jabba’s court. Posing as a simple merchant, Marae uncovered plots and conspiracies within Jabba’s entourage, reporting them directly to the Hutt.

After Jabba’s demise on the Khetanna, “Yak Face” fled with the gangster’s crucial financial records, disappearing into obscurity.

Sy Snootles & the Rebo Band

The Toys: The last three entries feature the members of the famous Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band, marking Kenner’s first non-exclusive, non-repackaged action figure set in their vintage Star Wars line. This set included three figures, a circular organ, two microphones, and a woodwind instrument, representing the iconic musicians from Jabba the Hutt’s lavish palace.

10. Droopy McCool (a.k.a. Snit)

The Character: Known as “Snit,” this Kitonak’s name, a series of sharp whistles, was nearly impossible for most beings to pronounce. Born on Kirdo III, Snit was sold into slavery and eventually purchased by Evar Orbus, the lead singer of the famed Galactic Jizz-Wailers. Alongside bandmates Max Rebo and Sy Snootles, Snit traveled to Tatooine, aiming to perform at Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina, a hotspot managed by a Wookiee.

Securing a long-term gig at Chalmun’s was both a privilege and a risk. Upon arriving on Tatooine, Evar Orbus was killed in a clash orchestrated by rival band Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, the Bith musicians seen in A New Hope. Abandoning their plans for Chalmun’s, Snit and his bandmates auditioned for Jabba the Hutt, earning an exclusive but exploitative contract to perform at his palace.

Snit, a relaxed and skilled musician, mastered the chidinkalu flute, crafted from a hollowed chidinkalu plant. Initially unhappy with his stage name, he adopted “Droopy McCool” after Sy Snootles suggested it. Known for his detached, almost mystical demeanor, Droopy rarely interacted with others in Jabba’s court, speaking mainly to Sy. After Jabba’s death at the Battle of Carkoon in The Return of the Jedi, the Max Rebo Band disbanded, and Droopy vanished into Tatooine’s deserts, sparking rumors he joined a group of Kitonian musicians in the Dune Sea.

11. Sy Snootles (a.k.a. Mrs. Snooty)

The Character: Sy Snootles, the alluring Pa’lowick singer, originally called “Mrs. Snooty” during Return of the Jedi, was an amphibious being from Lowick in the Outer Rim. Her species, Pa’lowick, had bodies adapted to semi-aquatic life, featuring slender limbs, strong lungs, rounded torsos, stalked eyes, and a long proboscis ending in lips. Storytelling and songwriting were central to Pa’lowick culture, with singing serving as both a creative outlet and a sacred tradition.

Sy Snootles, once a part-time bounty hunter, was also known for her tragic love life and her role in killing Jabba the Hutt’s treacherous brother, Ziro Desilijic Tiure. As the lead singer of the Max Rebo Band, she operated behind the scenes, letting Max Rebo take the spotlight to avoid the dangers of their criminal associations. While performing with the band, she secretly worked as a double agent for Jabba, leaking false information to his enemies, supplied by Bib Fortuna.

Following Jabba’s death and the destruction of his entourage at the Battle of Carkoon, Sy Snootles and her bandmates parted ways. Sy spent the rest of her life performing at small venues on distant planets in the Outer Rim Territories.

12. Max Rebo (aka Siiruulian Phantele)

The Character: Kenner’s poseable figure perfectly embodied Siiruulian Phantele, better known as “Max Rebo,” a blue-furred Ortolan musician. Ortolans, elephant-like humanoids, featured trunks, small black eyes, floppy ears, and velvety blue skin. Their suction-cupped fingers and toes allowed them to absorb food, supplementing their traditional eating habits.

Ortolans had exceptional hearing, extending into subsonic ranges, and a keen sense of smell due to their planet’s scarce food resources. This led many, including Max, to pursue careers in music and cuisine. Max became both a renowned organist and a gourmet.

Compared to other Ortolans, Max was relatively slim, but his love for food often hindered his musical career. He played the Red Ball Jett Organ, a 22-key air-powered instrument, and led the Rebo Band on Tatooine. Sy Snootles, the true frontwoman, remained in the shadows to avoid danger. Max’s deal with Jabba the Hutt promised unlimited food but no money, a disastrous arrangement.

After Jabba’s death, the Max Rebo Band disbanded. Max later found success as the owner of multiple Max’s Flangth House restaurants across eight planets, serving the enigmatic and nutritious dish known as flangth.

A version of this article originally ran in 2014; it has been updated for 2022.