Charming, light-spirited, and always ready to give a fan a pleasant smile, Ray Park is certainly one celebrity more should be like. Upon looking at him you'd never think he was the fearsome painted Sith Lord who weilded a dual lightsaber and murdered Qui-Gon Jinn. His gentle blue eyes reveal no menace and his smile hasn't a trace of evil in it.

So what made Lucas and his casting director, Robin Gurland, pick this soft-spoken Scot for the role of the evil Darth Maul? According to The Making of Episode I, Gurland had primarily chosen Ray for his martial artist skills and work as a stuntman. Later, after a screen test with Ray, they discovered, despite his pleasant behavior, he had all of the elements required of Darth Maul.

While the other actors had stuntmen and stand-ins, Ray did everything on his own; from the flips to the spins to the kicks, right down to the infamous Maul snarl. He gave the character of Maul movement, presence, and unsurpassed skill. There's no doubt in fans' minds that the duel between Sith and Jedi will never be matched in the next movies without Ray's skill and grace.

Standing at a moderate height of five-foot-six, Ray appeared to be the little kid on the older kids' basketball team. Dwarfed by two giants in the forms of Liam Neeson (Rob Roy, Darkman) and Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting), Ray still managed, as Maul, to give their characters a run for their Republican credits!

During the scenes that had to be shot in the scorching desert located in Tunisia (the set for Tatooine in the original movies as well), dressed in flowing black robes made of heavy material and topped with the heavy makeup that created Maul's look, Ray managed to keep his cool despite the fiery heat. And who wouldn't if they had some guy following them around with a multi-colored rainbow umbrella? ( ^-^ ) His patience showed through during those tedious hours of filming in the desert sun.

Patience is another word that best describes Ray. Particularly when it comes to his newfound fans. Currently, he's booked for up to three summer conventions all over the country. He attended the largest Star Wars convention in Denver, Colorado, came here to New Jersey for the Chiller Theatre's monthly weekend event (held in East Rutherford at the Sheraton Plaza), and he's ready to scope out the fans across the country and everywhere between.

The success of Phantom Menace has encouraged Ray to pursue his acting career further. According to my Sith Sister's information, he's scheduled to film Tim Burton's version of Sleepy Hallow. (It's gonna be good it Burton's doing it!)His role in the film has yet to be released to the public.

My personal view of Ray consists of thus: He's a very sweet, patient, soft-spoken young man (24 is young thank you) who's willing to go out there and meet his fans. A bit of a confession here, my fellow FeMauls..during the wait I had to endure in the scolding heat inside the stuffy Sheraton third floor, I felt a pang of guilt. Guilt because here I was, adding onto a line that seemed to stretch for miles without end. To hear all of those people, piled down with merchandise from the movie and bristling with unaccounted-for rumors, speak of this line like it was nothing and it didn't matter how tired Ray got made me sick to my stomach. I'm no stranger to celebrities (been on TV once) and so I see no reason in believing these people to be above myself. Richer, sure, but not above.

My friends and I were part of the last group of people allowed into the air-conditioned room Ray was seated in. I remember hearing the security guard mentioning to the person in front of me that Ray was to take a break and return downstairs are 2:30PM. I smiled at that, relieved he would have a chance to rest his poor arm. I also overheard the prices for the two things we, the fans, could recieve. I was armed with ten dollars and that was to later buy me the crowning glory of my Maul collection. I recall stepping into the room, my heart leaping into my throat when I saw him barely ten feet from where I stood. Hastily, I dug out my camera from my purse/backpack after seeing the pictures were ten exactly. Behind the three long tables covered in white cloth sat an older-looking woman with a great fluff of white hair. I noticed she was accepting the money from the people. Beside her was Ray and then a brunette (always seen with him on his travels, but who is she?) sat on the far right next to him. On the lasttable a stand was placed packed to the top with maul-related pictures, clippings, and anything else that would fit.

I know I'm going on a rant here but I felt like telling this story here. Anyway, the person in front of me practically slapped one of the color glossies of Maul before Ray and requested the autograph be written in red. (Here is where I first heard him speak without being dubbed; he muttered "Red" as he hovered his hand over a pile of pens on his left.) I, in the meantime, had mentally stopped my knees from clicking together and my heart from going into hyperdrive. Finally, it was my turn. I had to force my voice out when he smiled up at me, saying a cute little 'Hi' (well it was cute!). Once I said I wanted the picture instead of the autograph, relief was crystal clear on his face. That eased my guilty conscience considerably! He gestured for me to stand behind him, which I more than gladly did. Here's the stupid part, fellow FeMauls. I was very unsure of how to do this so I asked in a rather idiot way "Can I touch you?" and he said "Yeah" so I did. I had to keep my smile fixed lest I burst out squealing and hugging him like crazy. (If you ever read this, Mr. Park, please believe I wouldn't have! I have respect! Utmost!)

My friend, Shannon, snapped the picture and it was over. Then came Stupid Thing to Say #2. As I inched around the edge of the table, I patted his shoulder and muttered, what was supposed to be a confident, "You're cool.". I could've slapped myself for being so damned fangrrlish! AUGH! To make matters worse, I rounded a wall, thinking there was a door there, and almost slammed into it! See what happens when FeMauls are presented with Ray? Tsk tsk on us, ladies. :p

So ends the rant, please continue onto the rest of the site. And this was supposed to be a section strictly on him..not my bungling...

=Home= =Who's Maul?= =Maultimedia= =Maulchandise=
=List= =Links= =Webrings and Causes= =Maul no Miko=