LSU Tigers connection to Disney’s ‘The Mandalorian’

March 1st ushers in Season 3 of The Mandalorian on the popular Disney Plus streaming app. Such means the return of an LSU Tigers alumnus suiting up as Mando.

LSU Tigers fans that love the Star Wars universe can take pride in knowing the entities are connected. Such is due to the portrayal of the Din Djarin on Disney’s The Mandalorian. Yes, a former LSU Tigers Cheerleader suits up as the famous armored bounty hunter, Mando. However, such a person is not who one might expect.

Barry Lowin is one in a trio of stuntmen responsible for Mando’s body-and-stunt doubles. Lowin is an accomplished gymnast and a proud member of LSU’s 2002 graduating class. In addition, the stuntman was a member of the LSU Tigers cheerleading squad during his time in Baton Rouge. Lowin spoke fondly of his LSU days during a recent LSU Media Relations interview.

"“Getting to experience being inside the stadium for a football game, or any event really—I’ll never forget those times, it was wonderful…we would run out with the football [team], I would do backhand springs all the way down the field. I know at some point I did at least 30 backhand springs, and at the end of it, I wouldn’t be able to see.”"

Lowin studied journalism and theater outside his Saturday backhand springs before LSU Tigers football games. His love for the arts eventually led him to a career with Cirque du Soleil before joining The Mandalorian cast in 2020. Lowin’s work as Mando also earned him the role of Garfalaquox in The Book of Boba Fett.

Lowin is a Sulphur, Louisiana, native who started gymnastics training as a teenager. His athletic abilities earned him a place on the LSU Tigers’ cheerleading squad. Moreover, Lowin told LSU Media Relations that his time at the university enabled his professional success.

"“I definitely hoped with my experiences at LSU, with athletics and in journalism and theater, I think I saw a lot of options. I definitely felt like I was set up for success. If you want something, if you can envision it and you’re willing to work for it, then yeah, the sky is the limit.”"

Of course, Pedro Pascal is the voice and face of Mando in The Mandalorian. But unfortunately, the native of Santiago, Chile, did not attend LSU. And to our knowledge, Pascal has never completed 30 backhand springs while the LSU Tigers rushed onto the field.