The Jedi Order and its stalwart Jedi Knights are at the heart of the Star Wars universe. Jedi are warriors, peacekeepers, and philosophers. They're a constant fixture throughout almost every part of the franchise. Most Star Wars stories revolve around at least one Jedi.

Most Jedi in Star Wars fiction are heroic, wise, compassionate, capable, and everything else a Jedi Knight should be. However, the Jedi have a high standard. Plenty of their number falls short of expectations. Star Wars has weak Jedi, cruel Jedi, evil Jedi, and those who turn their backs on everything they're meant to stand for.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on February 10, 2024: The Jedi stand as honorable guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy--but even they aren't perfect. Even during the Age of the Republic, when the Jedi were in great number, several members of the Order fell short of the legacy of their forerunners. In fact, many Jedi Knights proved themselves to be utter disappointments in the long run.

20 Mace Windu Let The Jedi Fall On His Watch

Character

Actor

Mace Windu

Samuel L. Jackson

1:52
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Mace Windu was one of the most powerful Jedi in the years leading up to the Clone Wars. A leading member of the High Council and a close associate of Master Yoda himself, Mace Windu seemed like the standard for all Jedi to aspire to. However, as powerful and respected as he was, Master Windu ultimately came short of what a Jedi should be.

In addition to using Vaapad, a particularly brutal lightsaber form that channels one's inner darkness, Mace Windu was in large part responsible for the fall of the Jedi. It was under his watch that the Order became increasingly arrogant and careless, allowing the treacherous Darth Sidious to sneak his way into power right under their noses. When he finally realizes his mistake, Windu attempts to assassinate Sidious after disarming him in a duel, pushing Anakin Skywalker to make a difficult choice that leads to his becoming Darth Vader.

19 Baylan Skoll Lost His Way After Order 66

Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) stares toward the sky in Ahsoka

Character

Actor

Baylan Skoll

Ray Stevenson

Baylan Skoll is one of the main villains in the Ahsoka Disney+ series. Mysterious and powerful, Skoll was once a Jedi who fought alongside the likes of Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars. He managed to survive the Great Jedi Purge in 19 BBY, escaping to the outer reaches of the galaxy and eventually taking on Shin Hati as his apprentice.

Skoll lost his way after Order 66, deciding that the galaxy needed a total reset in order to finally achieve balance. He planned to bring back the villainous Grand Admiral Thrawn, knowing that his return would spark a war that could easily lead to the galaxy's utter destruction. Skoll turned against everything the Jedi ever stood for, disgracing his fallen friends. If Baylan Skoll's story continues in Star Wars beyond the first season of Ahsoka, then his exploits will doubtlessly show just how far he has fallen since his Jedi days.

18 Luminara Unduli Was Cold And Uncaring

Luminarin Unduli raises her green lightsaber above her head in Star Wars

Character

Actor

Luminara Unduli

Mary Oyaya Olivia D'Abo (voice)

Luminara Unduli will probably be remembered by most fans as one of the more cold and emotionally unavailable of the Jedi (which is saying something.) Though it was very much the code of the Jedi at the time to remain emotionally distant from everything and everyone, Unduli really did follow this to the letter and it exposed major flaws in her character.

Over the course of her life, she was likely present at the disastrous Jedi intervention during the Senate hostage crisis, speaking to the Martez sisters following the deaths of their parents. She was also betrayed by her Padawan Barriss Offee, who herself had grown disillusioned with the ways of the Order.

17 Bastila Shan Was Far Too Easily Turned

Bastila Shan looks into the distance in Knights of the Old Republic

Character

Actor

Bastila Shan

Jennifer Hale

Releasing two decades ago back in 2003, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remains the best game ever tied to the franchise. One of the more memorable characters from that game is Bastila Shan, a deeply gifted yet arrogant and condescending Jedi prodigy who could have become one of the very best the Order has ever seen.

Her superior nature is merely a facade that hides her lack of self-confidence and willpower. Though this could have made her an easily educated Jedi, she is actually easily led astray and will join the dark side without much persuasion in the game, if the player so chooses.

16 Galen Marek (Starkiller) Was Uneven And Angry

Galen Marek charges up his lightning abilities using the force

Character

Actor

Galen Marek

Sam Witwer

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When Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was released, not only was it an accomplished and enjoyable game, but it was also scarcely believable how relatively powerful the game's protagonist was. Though he was initially trained to be a Sith, he was later set aside to remain in line with the rule of two.

His nickname comes from his force abilities being so legendarily powerful that he can control a Star Destroyer using nothing but his mind. This ridiculous level of power only serves to separate him from the more relatable Jedi and his story isn't enough to win people around. Galen Marek is an anomaly and one that struggles to fit into the extensive universe at that.

15 Grogu Chose To Leave The Jedi Academy

Character

Actor

Grogu

N/A

The Mandalorian's Grogu is one of three known members of his species. Din Djarin saves Grogu from an Imperial bounty and travels the galaxy to reunite him with the Jedi. He succeeds in The Mandalorian's second season. However, The Book of Boba Fett shows Grogu's struggles with Jedi training.

Grogu is still affected by the trauma of Order 66. On top of that, his long time away from the Jedi Order has left him with many other attachments. Luke Skywalker goes out of his way to offer Grogu the choice between the Jedi and the Mandalorians. Grogu chooses his Beskar chain mail and fully rejects the Jedi way.

14 Atton Rand Was Nothing A Jedi Should Be

Atton Rand talking to the Exile in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

Character

Actor

Atton Rand

Nicky Katt

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II revolves around lost Jedi. Many of its companions are Force-sensitives left to flounder in the many wars ripping the Republic apart. The first that the player meets is Atton Rand, a scoundrel. By the end of the game, Atton can become a Jedi and improve himself. However, he still has a few flaws.

Atton is a former Sith soldier and an expert in torturing Jedi. He's hurt countless people in the worst possible ways. Even after leaving the Sith, he's selfish and abrasive. His time with the Exile involves him becoming braver and more compassionate. Nonetheless, Atton's still snarky, manipulable, and occasionally lecherous. None of these are ideal Jedi traits.

13 Jocasta Nu Was Arrogant And Self-Absorbed

Jocsta Nu talking to Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Character

Actor

Jocasta Nu

Alethea McGrath

The Jedi are scholars and philosophers as well as warriors and leaders. Even their non-military roles are valuable. Jocasta Nu is the Chief Librarian and a former member of the Jedi High Council. As such, fans have high expectations for her. However, every time she's on screen, she doesn't contribute much.

Jocasta's most infamous appearance is in Attack of the Clones. In one scene, she arrogantly dismisses Obi-Wan's questions about Kamino and asserts that the planet can't exist if it isn't in the archives. Although she starts a hidden Jedi school during the time of the Empire, this comes to naught when Darth Vader easily defeats her.

12 Bolla Ropal Failed His Only Job

Cad Bane torturing Bolla Ropal in Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Character

Actor

Bolla Ropal

Dee Bradley Baker

2:41
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The affairs of the Jedi are immensely impactful across the galaxy. Those who guard valuable Jedi artifacts have a crucial responsibility. The Jedi Order assigns Bolla Ropal to guard a kyber crystal that reveals the identities of Force-sensitive children across the galaxy. This is vital for the Jedi's future and those children's safety.

Ropal admits he's not much of a warrior or powerful with the Force. Instead, he makes a good guard because of his ability to see the future. Despite this, he is outmaneuvered and captured by the bounty hunter Cad Bane. Although Ropal withstands Bane's torture and dies before he opens the crystal, his failures still let Bane get the artifact in the first place.

11 Ki-Adi-Mundi Was A Zealot Among The Jedi

Ki-Adi-Mundi during Order 66 in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Character

Actor

Ki-Adi-Mundi

Silas Carson Daran Norris (voice)

Sometimes, an individual can hold true to the tenets of the Jedi and still be a poor example of one. Ki-Adi-Mundi is a capable and respected Jedi Master, council member, and prominent general during the Clone Wars. However, most of his actions embody the Jedi's worst instincts.

Mundi is emotionally distant, unsympathetic, and arrogant. He lacks Yoda's redeeming warmth and compassion or Mace Windu's sheer ability. Instead, he's simply the most prominent member of the distasteful Jedi Council. Despite receiving some positive development in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, he remains an example of a hard-line Jedi zealot.

10 Saesee Tiin Fell Easily To Darth Sidious

Saesee Tiin piloting a starfighter in Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Character

Actor

Saesee Tiin

Khan Bonfils

Jedi Masters should reflect the Jedi's best. Jedi Masters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu are exceptional combatants, prodigious in the Force, sure in their beliefs, and able diplomats. Saesee Tiin, in his brief appearance, fails at one of these in the worst possible way.

Tiin is one of four Jedi Masters sent to arrest or kill Palpatine for being a Sith Lord. This action is crucial for the Republic and the Jedi. However, his contributions are minimal. Tiin dies in the opening moments of the fight due to the backswing of the strike that kills Agen Kolar. Tiin doesn't even have "the element of surprise" working against him. He simply fails to block a single blow.

9 Sifo-Dyas Brought About The Fall Of The Jedi

Sifo-Dyas scowls in Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Character

Actor

Sifo-Dyas

Paul Nakauchi

Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas is long dead by the time of the Clone Wars. However, his fingerprint is on everything that comes after. Sifo-Dyas is the Jedi who first contracts the Kamino cloners to make the Grand Army of the Republic. His militaristic beliefs are at odds with the rest of the Jedi Council, who strip him of his position.

Sifo-Dyas is right to fear war. However, his actions pave the way for the Jedi's downfall. Because Sifo-Dyas starts the cloning project, Dooku and Sidious can use it for their own ends. Order 66 tears the Jedi Order apart and ushers in the rise of the Empire. Sifo-Dyas bears some responsibility.

8 Coleman Trebor Was Quickly Dispatched On Geonosis

Coleman Trebor attempts to fight Count Dooku in Star Wars Episode II: The Clone Wars

Character

Actor

Coleman Trebor

N/A

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The Jedi aren't warriors first and foremost. Nonetheless, they are expert combatants who are expected to use their martial skills for the good of the galaxy. A Jedi who can't fight well can't protect anyone. Coleman Trebor's brief appearance in Attack of the Clones makes him look like one of the weakest Jedi seen on screen.

Trebor only appears for a few moments in the Battle of Geonosis. He tries to engage Count Dooku in combat, only for Jango Fett to intercept Trebor and shoot him down. Jango Fett is a capable fighter with a track record of engaging Jedi. Even so, the high-ranking Trebor barely slows down a man armed with blasters.

7 Barriss Offee Betrayed Everything She Stood For

Character

Actor

Barriss Offee

Nalini Krishan Meredith Salenger (voice)

The Clone Wars see many Jedi fall and turn to the Dark Side. This is often due to disillusionment with the militant direction the Jedi Order takes, or after being corrupted by events during the war. Barriss Offee, the padawan of Luminara Unduli and a close friend of Ahsoka Tano, falls into the latter camp.

Offee's fall is one of the more vicious in Star Wars' annals. She bombs the Jedi Order, attempts to frame Ahsoka for it, and even tries to kill Anakin Skywalker when he confronts her. Few Jedi have downfalls crueler or more damaging than Barriss Offee's.

6 Pong Krell Was A Disgrace To The Jedi Order

Close up image of Jedi General Pong Krell from the Clone Wars Season 4 Umbara arc

Character

Actor

Pong Krell

Dave Fennoy

Many fallen Jedi remain sympathetic. They hold to some of their prior morality even as they become disillusioned with the Order or tempted by the Dark Side. However, this doesn't apply to Pong Krell, who becomes one of the most loathsome figures in a galactic conflict.

Taking control of the 501st Legion, Krell pretends to lead the Republic's war effort on Umbara while actively undermining it. He cares nothing for the clones under his command and hopes to see them dead. The scene where he manipulates two clone forces into firing on one another cemented himself as one of the most horrific in all of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

5 Darth Malak Led Many To Fall To The Dark Side

Darth Malak, the villain of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic game

Character

Actor

Darth Malak

Rafael Ferrer

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Darth Malak is one of the most infamous figures in the time of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, second only to his former master Revan. Alongside Revan, Malak is one of the leaders who encourages disaffected Jedi to disobey the Jedi Council and join the Mandalorian Wars. This decision leads Revan and most of his comrades to fall to the Dark Side.

Malak isn't very competent, even without his moral failings. He is little more than a brute who uses Revan's charisma and leadership to recruit allies. Even when he usurps control of the Sith, he does this by betraying a distracted Revan. Malak falls short of expectations, both in terms of skill and moral strength.

4 Ben Solo Destroyed Luke's Jedi Order

Ben Solo as Kylo Ren in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Character

Actor

Ben Solo

Adam Driver

Ben Solo, also known as Kylo Ren, is one of the central characters of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He is a former Jedi student of Luke's who turns to evil. Solo is perfectly capable and competent in his actual skills. He's powerful with the Force and deadly with a lightsaber. However, his morality leaves something to be desired.

Ben goes one step further than being a fallen Jedi. He seizes control of the First Order and uses its resources to subjugate the galaxy. He does try to atone for acts like siding with Palpatine and trying to kill his own father in his final moments. Nonetheless, he has a long track record of atrocities and planetary massacres that remain sticking points in his morality even after his death.

3 Count Dooku Had Good Motives But Was Fooled

Count Dooku from Star Wars Attack of the Clones

Character

Actor

Count Dooku

Christopher Lee

Count Dooku is well-known as a fallen Jedi by Attack of the Clones. However, even strict masters like Mace Windu hold him in some regard, refusing to believe he could turn into an assassin. However, Dooku is far worse than anyone knows until that point. Furthermore, Tales of the Jedi shows where his downfall begins.

Count Dooku spends years struggling with the Jedi Code and its restrictions. He believes in following his own path and opinions, even against the guidance of his peers and order. Tales of the Jedi shows Dooku's descent from a headstrong warrior to a murderer of his fellow Jedi. From there, it's a short step to his worst actions as Darth Tyranus.

2 Kreia Was Worse Than A Sith

Kreia wearing a hood in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.

Character

Actor

Kreia

Sara Kestelman

Kreia is the mentor figure and antagonist of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Her dual role makes her one of Star Wars' most ambiguous and mysterious characters. Kreia is both a former Jedi and a former Sith. After feeling betrayed by both, she sets about her own monstrous plan.

Kreia blames the Force for causing the galaxy's problems. As a result, she seeks to destroy it via Malachor V's wound in the Force. While she doesn't stand on either side of the traditional divide between Force-sensitives, it's obvious that this course of action conflicts with the Jedi way. She does awful things in her attempts to destroy the Force, making her one of Star Wars' worst Jedi.

1 Anakin Skywalker Became The Jedi's Downfall

Character

Actor

Anakin Skywalker

Hayden Christensen

One of the most famous Jedi is also one of the most infamous. Other than his son Luke, no Jedi is better known than Anakin Skywalker, the villainous Darth Vader. His actions, both in the prequel trilogy and in the original films, highlight how far short of the Jedi ideals he falls.

Anakin's most impactful act is his fall to the dark side. Anakin doesn't just join the Sith. He leads the clones to massacre his former friends, wipe out the Jedi Order, and usher in the totalitarian Galactic Empire. Even with Anakin's famous redemption in Return of the Jedi, he has never been a good Jedi. He is, however, a powerful one.

A portrait image of the classic Star Wars logo franchise banner
Star Wars

The original trilogy depicts the heroic development of Luke Skywalker as a Jedi and his fight against Palpatine's Galactic Empire alongside his sister, Leia. The prequels tell the tragic backstory of their father, Anakin, who is corrupted by Palpatine and becomes Darth Vader.

Created by
George Lucas
Latest Film
Star Wars: Episode XI - The Rise of Skywalker
Latest TV Show
Ahsoka
Character(s)
Luke Skywalker , Han Solo , Princess Leia Organa , Din Djarin , Yoda , Grogu , Darth Vader , Emperor Palpatine , Rey Skywalker