The Day ‘Escape to Witch Mountain’ Star Ike Eisenmann Became a Jedi

Dave Sundstrom
FANTASTIC JOURNEY, Ike Eisenmann, 1977
Everett Collection
Everett Collection

Picture this: a long time ago, on a city street far, far away, Ike Eisenmann, the star of the original Escape to Witch Mountain movie series, found himself in the middle of a situation that was both flattering and, quite frankly, somewhat confusing at the same time. As was quite often the case when Ike was younger, he was approached by a family who was very excited to get his autograph. This wasn’t uncommon because, in addition to his movie roles, Ike made a bunch of guest-starring appearances on TV shows like CHiPs, Wonder Woman, and T.J. Hooker during the late 70s and early 80s — however, as he talked with them a bit more, he realized that they thought he was the guy who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, actor Mark Hamill. And as much as he tried to set things straight with them, telling them that he wasn’t Mark, these folks could not be convinced.

Ike was in a bit of a pickle. He didn’t want to let the family down, and he didn’t want them to walk away thinking that Mark Hamill was a jerk. So, he pulled a move worthy of any galaxy-saving hero, and he signed an autograph for the family using Mark’s name. As they triumphantly departed with their prized signature, Ike felt a mixture of happiness and guilt.

Fast forward to present day, and Ike shared this crazy story on social media, talking about how he had become a Jedi for an ever so brief moment. He wrote, “In 1982 in NYC, I signed an autograph for a father that insisted I was “that Star Wars kid” despite my protestations. I must apologize, @MarkHamill, for forging your signature, but it made a family very happy and made me smile, because, for a brief moment, I was Luke Skywalker.”

Imagine Ike’s surprise when Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, responded, thanking him for taking care of his fans!

Here’s what Mark said: “What a wonderful story. No apologies necessary for making a family so very happy. I’m sure from watching you over the years that not only did you represent me well, but you would be great as Luke.”

At last, Ike had confirmation that his spur-of-the-moment decision so many years ago was exactly the right thing to do. And we, the fans of both Ike and Mark, have confirmation that they’re more than just TV and movie stars; they’re both incredibly kind and thoughtful human beings.

So, I’ve got to ask: does anybody else remember Fantastic Journey? Ike starred in this short-lived science fiction TV series, which ran on NBC way back in 1977, and I absolutely loved it. The legendary Roddy McDowall was in the series as well. A few years later, Ike would return to the big screen and make a memorable appearance in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott’s nephew, engineering cadet Peter Preston. Spoiler alert: things don’t go all that well for him.

By the early 2000s, Ike’s career had transitioned to more behind-the-scenes work. But in 2009, he and original Escape to Witch Mountain actress Kim Richards did return to the big screen in cameo roles in Disney’s remake, Race to Witch Mountain.

 

 

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