Alec Guinness was the first portrayer of Obi-Wan in the original Star Wars trilogy. He was an English actor who won an Academy Award for his performance in the 1957 film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. Guinness was cast as Obi-Wan Kenobi in 1977's 'Star Wars: A New Hope' and reprised the role in the two sequels, 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi'. His portrayal of the wise old Jedi master was widely praised and he was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.