In the world of Star Wars, there are lots of different characters from all corners of the galaxy. From Emperor Palpatine to Kit Fisto, there are so many different people and figures with their own backstories and lots of different things to find out. Of course, we all have our favorites and one of the most popular people is Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Also known as Ben Kenobi in the original trilogy, this Jedi Master has lots of secrets and aspects to his life that people are always so desperate to find out.
Starting from The Phantom Menace, we’ve watched this young man develop into a wise and powerful Jedi that earned the respect of many different planets.
But, how old was Master Kenobi in the earliest iteration of the character? Follow the rest of our guide to find out.
How Old Is Obi-Wan Kenobi In Episode 1?
According to various sources on the web, Obi-Wan is 25-years-old in The Phantom Menace and is a lot younger than his Master, Qui-Gon. However, Ewan McGregor himself was around 27 or 28-years-old when he filmed the first film, which isn’t too far apart from the age of his character.
Interestingly, the actors who played Obi-Wan have often been a bit older than the character’s official age. For example, Sir Alec Guinness was 62-63 when he portrayed old Ben Kenobi in A New Hope, while the character himself was meant to be about 57 at the time—almost a decade’s difference! Ewan McGregor, who brought the younger Obi-Wan to life in the prequels, was also slightly older than his character, being in his late twenties during filming.
If we turn to the official Star Wars timeline, Obi-Wan was born in 57 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) and died in 0 BBY, meaning he was 57 years old when he faced
| Movie | Ben’s Age |
|---|---|
| Star Wars: The Phantom Menace | 25 |
| Star Wars: Attack Of the Clones | 35 |
| Star Wars: A New Hope | 59 |
How Are Events Tracked in the Star Wars Timeline?
If you’ve ever wondered how historians—or, well, super fans—keep track of all the happenings in that galaxy far, far away, there’s actually a special system used throughout the Star Wars universe. Instead of Earth years, major events are dated in relation to one of the saga’s most pivotal moments: the Battle of Yavin (yep, the one from the original 1977 movie when Luke blows up the Death Star).
You’ll often see years labeled as BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) or ABY (After the Battle of Yavin). So, for example, if someone mentions “32 BBY,” they’re talking about something that happened 32 years before that first Death Star’s dramatic demise. This timeline helps fans and creators alike keep track of where all the films, series, and big milestones fit into the galactic saga.
As we know, there is quite a big jump from The Phantom Menace to Attack Of The Clones, which is the next film in the franchise. This is often noticed because of the development of Anakin Skywalker.
The Chosen One was seen as a child in the first film, turning into a young man in the second movie. This is why Padme Amidala doesn’t recognize the Jedi at first glance.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Birth and Death in Star Wars Canon
If you’re curious about Obi-Wan’s timeline in the galaxy, official sources state that he was born in 57 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin). His story comes to a close in 0 BBY, which is just before the big Death Star showdown in A New Hope. This puts him at 57 years old when he faced his fateful duel with
Interestingly, while Sir Alec Guinness played the wise old Jedi in the original trilogy, the character is canonically younger than Guinness was during filming. In fact, Obi-Wan’s age at the time of his passing is actually much closer to Ewan McGregor’s age today.
Are Star Wars Ages Set in Stone?
Of course, in the ever-expanding Star Wars galaxy, canonical ages are more like the Jedi Code itself—principles to guide, not strict rules carved into carbonite. Just as actors often stretch a few years to play their characters (Ewan McGregor was a touch older than Obi-Wan’s supposed 25 in The Phantom Menace), the films and media sometimes fudge the numbers for storytelling’s sake.
So, if you notice a character who looks a little older or younger than their storyline suggests, don’t worry—you’re not experiencing a disturbance in the Force. Star Wars is all about the adventure, and sometimes, age is just a detail in the larger saga.
Who Is Obi-Wan Kenobi?
As we briefly mentioned, Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most respected Jedi Masters in the Jedi Council and is seen as one of the main protagonists throughout the Star Wars franchise.
Often seen with his signature blue lightsaber, this Jedi Knight dedicated his life to bringing peace and prosperity to the galaxy.
Throughout the prequel trilogy, we see this young man change from a padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn to a Master himself, taking on the role following the death of his mentor at the hands of Darth Maul. From here, we see Obi-Wan take responsibility for guiding the path of young Anakin Skywalker.
However, we all know how the story ends, and it ends in heartbreak for Obi-Wan as he watched his brother-in-arms and best friend turn to the Dark Side of the Force, turning on his former Master before their confrontation on the surfaces of Mustafar.
Kenobi journeys to Tatooine to watch over Anakin’s son, Luke. You know the rest!
How Old Do You Have To Be To Be A Jedi Knight?
As we’ve seen with characters like Anakin, there are lots of different ages involved at the Jedi Temple, with younglings seen often throughout the franchise. However, these are Jedi in training, rather fully-established Jedi Knights.
It’s thought that some of the youngest Jedi Knights were around 15 years of age when they first passed their trials and became what they aimed to be.
However, many Jedi Knights didn’t pass a specific trial to become a Jedi. trying times lay ahead and the Jedi need numbers, with many attaining Jedi rank through experience in the field.
In order to become a Jedi Master, you must then show a deep connection with the Force and with your feelings, along with presenting skills during combat.
Of course, the Jedi are peacekeepers and pride themselves in retaining their feelings with the Light Side of the Force, however, they need to be able to defend themselves when called upon, protecting others along the way.
When Did Obi-Wan Become A Jedi Master?
When we pick up again after Episode 1, Kenobi isn’t yet a Jedi Master, only a Knight, along with his padawan Anakin Skywalker.
We leave these two with a duel to the death with experienced Force veteran, Count Dooku. Also known as Darth Tyranus, the Sith Lord is all but ready to finish off the pair, until they are saved by Master Yoda.
In the second film of the franchise, Obi-Wan is around 10 years older than when we saw him in the initial entry to the prequels. He is around 35 years of age in Attack Of The Clones, slightly younger than when we see him in Revenge Of The Sith.
There is less of a jump between Episodes 2 and 3 than between Episodes 1 and 2. In Revenge Of The Sith, Obi-Wan is thought to be 38-years-old and is now a Jedi Master, with Anakin wanting to be held in the same regard.
When he gets taken under the wing of Chancellor Palpatine, the young Jedi is inducted into the Jedi Council, but not granted the rank of Master. Anakin states that he is the first Jedi in history for this to happen to.
How Old Is Kenobi In Episode 4?
The latest that we see Obi-Wan alive is in A New Hope, the fourth installment in the franchise. Although this film was released first, the prequels make this the fourth entry into the saga.
Played by Alec Guinness, Obi-Wan now goes by the name Ben Kenobi and roams the plains of Tatooine, protecting Darth Vader’s son, Luke.
There are many theories as to why he looks so old, but Kenobi is thought to be 59-years old in A New Hope, with various different factors in him looking so frail. Because of this, Vader has much more trouble finding his former Master and therefore, his son.
How Does Luke’s Appearance in the Obi-Wan Kenobi Trailer Affect the Timeline?
It’s easy to get a little tripped up when watching the Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer and spotting a young
Story-wise, Obi-Wan is still in his middle years—decades away from the white-bearded hermit we meet in A New Hope. Despite Ewan McGregor himself being a bit older than his character’s supposed age, Obi-Wan should realistically be in his early to mid-40s at this point in the timeline. Seeing Luke as a child helps anchor the series much closer to the aftermath of Revenge of the Sith, rather than the twilight years when Leia’s message sets everything into motion.
So, while our hero may look a little older thanks to time (and, let’s face it, a tough life on a desert planet), the events unfolding are much closer to the prequels than to the original trilogy.
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Where Does the Obi-Wan Kenobi Series Fit in the Star Wars Timeline?
With all this talk about Obi-Wan’s age, it’s only natural to wonder exactly where the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series lands in the vast Star Wars timeline. The series is set in the years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, a period filled with loss, secrecy, and the brewing hope that will ignite the Original Trilogy.
At this point, Kenobi is living in exile on Tatooine, keeping a watchful, distant eye on young
This period is ripe with storytelling possibilities, as it bridges the gap between Obi-Wan’s days as Anakin’s mentor and his eventual guidance of Luke. It also allows the series to explore how the galaxy changed under the Empire’s shadow and how Obi-Wan coped with his greatest failure.
Fans will spot familiar faces, but timelines are carefully respected to ensure continuity with established events. The presence of a young Luke and the echoes of Order 66 ground the show firmly within canon, promising both heartfelt nostalgia and unseen adventure.
Conclusion
There’s your answer! Obi-Wan Kenobi was around 25-years-old in The Phantom Menace, however, throughout the movie, he shows wisdom and skills beyond his years.
From what we’ve seen in various iterations of the character, not many 25-year-old padawans would be able to take down Darth Maul in combat.
Throughout the movies, we see Obi-Wan grow as a man and as a mentor for Anakin, displaying great teachings and wisdom to show his best friend the way forward.
Brad Burnie is the founder of Starships.com. He loves all video game genres. In his spare time, he loves reading, watching movies, and gaming