From Cocoa Beach, Florida, to a galaxy far, far away: Actor Cullen Douglas, who has Space Coast roots, appears in “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
”This is the way,” Douglas wrote on his Instagram on the day of the film’s release, confirming he played a small role in a massive universe. End credits show his character’s name, Prefect Nobah.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the first new “Star Wars” movie since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” grossed $100million over its Memorial Day weekend release at the domestic box office, according to studio estimates.
“The Mandalorian” made “Baby Yoda” (his actual name is Grogu) a pop culture phenomenon in 2019. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” continues the story of the Disney+ show, with Pedro Pascal returning as bounty hunter Din Djarin, but with a plot intended to be approachable for newcomers who haven’t watched the series.
“This is the way … After holding my breath for two years and keeping this one to myself, I’m incredibly happy to finally share that I play Prefect Nobah in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” Douglas posted May 22, 2026. “It’s a brief appearance in a massive universe, but one I was deeply grateful to step into — especially knowing it came in as a straight offer, something I definitely don’t take for granted these days.”
A check on Cullen Douglas’ IMDB bio shows the “Baby Yoda” movie marks his first foray into the “Star Wars” universe, but it’s not his first appearance within the Disney family: He played villain Edison Po in Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and a sadistic killer who murdered his mother on an episode of “Castle.” But he’s been the good guy, too, and occasionally a patient, or “the bird man” on a 2007 episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
In a 2016 interview with FLORIDA TODAY, Douglas said he graduated from Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School and his parents were Dick and Diane Baumbach of Cape Canaveral. Dick Baumbach was an investigative reporter for ABC and Gannett. Baumbach later became the aerospace editor for Today newspaper, which is now FLORIDA TODAY, part of the USA TODAY Network.
“The last few years have reshaped the industry in a lot of ways, and like many actors, I’ve spent time wondering where I still fit inside all of it. So getting the chance to walk onto a Star Wars set and become a small part of this amazing mythology means more to me than I can fully explain,” Douglas said in his IG post. “Very grateful to Jon Favreau, the Cast & Crew, and everyone at Lucasfilm for the experience.”
Cullen Douglas, his stage name for Douglas Cullen Baumbach, said in the 2016 interview he might’ve used his father’s career for inspiration.
“One of the first scripts that I ever wrote was a television pilot that was based on his life as an undercover investigative reporter.”
After life on the Space Coast of Florida, Douglas became a Los Angeles, California, transplant with his wife Rachel and their two sons, Gabriel and Cameron. He has acting, screenwriting and directing credits.
Keep reading for more information about actor Cullen Douglas, his long list of acting credits in TV and movies, and “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
What is ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ about?
Disney’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” follows the adventures of “Mando” Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young green Jedi apprentice, Grogu or “Baby Yoda” in pop culture and the marketing world. The pair first gained international stardom with their Disney+ series, conceived by “Mandalorian and Grogu” director Jon Favreau (who plays Happy Hogan in Marvel’s “Iron Man” and “Avengers” films).
After the evil empire has fallen, Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy, according to the movie bio. “As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.”
The film also stars Jeremy Allen White (FX’s “The Bear”) as Rotta the Hut and veteran actress Sigourney Weaver as Colonel Ward. Credits for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” also show Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese and veteran character actor/career villain Cullen Douglas.
When was the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda movie released? How to stream ‘Mandalorian’ TV show on Disney+
“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie, based on the hit Disney+ show “The Mandalorian,” was released May 22, 2026, in theaters. Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, it opened with $82 million in three days, and had a four-day box office total over $100 million, according to studio estimates.
Watch The Mandalorian & Grogu movie scenes
To watch the “The Mandalorian” series or any of the “Star Wars” films and TV shows, you have to have a Disney+ subscription.
Watch Star Wars on Disney+ today
What movies, TV shows feature actor Cullen Douglas, who grew up in Florida?
According to IMDB, actor Cullen Douglas’ movie credits include:
The IMDB profile shows actor Cullen Douglas’ TV credits include:
Contributing: Brendan Morrow and David Hoffman, USA TODAY
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cocoa Beach High grad appears in ‘Mandalorian,’ Baby Yoda movie
Reporting by Jennifer Sangalang, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
