The 7 Most Important Jedi in the Star Wars Movies

Anakin Skywalker is probably best known as Darth Vader, but before he donned the menacing black armor, he was just a powerful Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn discovers him as a child slave on Tatooine and recognizes his great potential. In fact, he believes Anakin to be the Chosen One who will bring balance to the Force by defeating the Sith. Despite the Jedi High Council's initial concerns that Anakin has too much fear and anger in him, Obi-Wan Kenobi trains him. He reaches the rank of Jedi Knight and fights for the Republic in the Clone Wars.

As it turns out, the Jedi High Council knows all. Darth Sidious lures him to the dark side by claiming doing so will keep Padmé, Anakin's wife, safe from dying in childbirth. Adopting the name Darth Vader, he assists with the eradication of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Empire. Padmé sadly does die, but not before giving birth to Luke and Leia, who go on to become central to defeating the Empire.