My Journey to Endor

by Tracey McCoy Thompson

Star Wars was the most anticipated movie in 1977. Who knew that when Kevin Thompson stood in line at the theater with the rest of the world, he would later be taking you on his journey from the secretive audition and getting the part on the most sought-after movie of all time five years later. It was destiny, a trilogy was born. A dream that many people dream about. He is a story teller and this book promises you emotionally and physically that you are with him on his Journey to Endor. He played an Ewok in the Star Wars Saga, Return of the Jedi . He was one of five American Actors who did all the stunts in the forest. Swinging on vines, explosions, and battling the Storm Troopers. The struggles of being only 4 foot 5 inches tall and running in costumes that had 2 inches thick of foam and fur while not being able to see in the Ewok costume heads. He got to play make-believe in a real world of imagination. George Lucas' imagination. Everything he did on Return of the Jedi at 22 years old actually molded his life in a universal way. Kevin Thompson was pushed physically and mentally performing stunts that otherwise he would have never known he was capable. He grew up quick on the set. He proved to himself that his stature was not going to hinder him on Endor and in his life. His protective bubble living with his family and friends on a cul-de-sac popped wide open and he has lived his life with no restrictions and no regrets. Get ready for this hero journey. It is as if you are sitting in the tree tops with him blowing the horn ready for battle with his fellow Ewoks. "Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?" - Yoda

Genres: Star Wars

212 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2022

Reviews

[Mike Delacard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir of Kevin Thompson's experience as an ewok in the Star Wars saga that was such a great post of my childhood. Reading through his shared memories brought me back and I enjoyed listening to everything that I hadn't ever considered as a casual viewer of the films. The book is easy to read, more like a conversation with the author and I felt a warm connection to Kevin and his wife, Tracey, as if they were sharing these stories with me. Star Wars fans of all ages will enjoy this and appreciate all the exclusive photos contained from Kevin's personal collection documenting his experience throughout the saga. Many times I pulled up the film Return of the Jedi to see the scenes Kevin was referencing to better understand more of the movie magic! Do yourself a favor and buy this book. You will not regret it!

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Great book! It was fun to be taken along on the journey to Endor, to hear Kevin’s experience on the set of Return of the Jedi.
Very interesting to learn what it took to be one of the Ewoks and stuntmen. Not always glamorous, actually quite the opposite. It was tough work.
If you are interested in what it was like to be on set of a major production, this book will take you there.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's refreshing to read an "autobiography" that was honestly co-written by a couple. It's well-detailed but also constructed to keep reading for new details. There is a distinct voice and a clarity of memories, without a showy chronology or name-dropping for selfish reasons. The "glamor" of Hollywood is shown with an honest reality of the challenges of physical acting and the process of creating a story, scene-by-scene for weeks. And, having met an author before is a nice added bonus!

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as Kevin and Tracey said on Pod Meets World that they’d written a book about Kevin’s time as an Ewok, I found it and clicked Order. It was so fun to read all the behind-the-scenes adventures and to see the world of Star Wars from a new perspective.