‘Star Wars’ Characters Visit UVA Health

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - You could say it was an-out-of-this-world experience.

Patients at UVA Health Children’s Hospital got a surprise visit from a few special characters.

“It’s a gift to me to be able to, you know, just put this goofy-looking thing on and make somebody’s day,” actress Emily Swallow said.

Swallow is a UVA alumna who plays the character the Armorer on the Mandalorian. She decided to give back while returning to the place that started it all.

“It’s really where I made the decision to pursue acting professionally because I was on an entirely different path,” Swallow said. “Getting to be back here and reconnecting with that has been really, really special and really emotional.”

While back in town, the actress partnered with a Star Wars cosplay group to go visit some children in the hospital. Along with her character, Darth Vader, Obi Wan, and even Baby Yoda made appearances.

The children’s reactions to the characters were priceless.

“I was really surprised because, like, they look like so real. I was like, wow, cause it’s so surprising that they came here to the hospital,” said Kaylee, who got to meet all the characters.

For Swallow, she says she is just happy to be a part of brightening up someone’s day.

“I think that the difference it can make in somebody’s day, compared to the little effort it takes to come out here to do it,” she said. “There’s no question about it.”

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