George Lucas

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Lucas - Henson - 1986

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George Lucas Medal of Technology

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Oliver Mark - George Lucas, Berlin 2005

George Lucas

Secretary Kerry Chats With 2015 Kennedy Center Honors Recipient George Lucas (23244763499)

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Lucasfilm logo

George Lucas is an American film director, screenwriter, and entrepreneur best known for creating the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Born on May 14, 1944, in Modesto, California, Lucas grew up with a keen interest in cars and racing, which later influenced his filmmaking. He attended Modesto Junior College before transferring to the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where he befriended fellow filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola.

Lucas's early career was marked by his 1971 dystopian science fiction film, THX 1138, which was a critical success but a commercial failure. However, his next project, American Graffiti (1973), a coming-of-age film set in the early 1960s, was both a critical and commercial success. It earned Lucas several Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

The success of American Graffiti allowed Lucas to pursue a project that had been in development for years: Star Wars. Released in 1977, Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope) revolutionized the film industry with its groundbreaking special effects, compelling story, and dynamic characters. It became a global phenomenon, spawning a franchise that includes sequels, prequels, television series, books, and more. Lucas's creation of the Star Wars universe has left an indelible mark on popular culture and has established him as a seminal figure in the science fiction genre.

In addition to Star Wars, Lucas created the Indiana Jones franchise, collaborating with Steven Spielberg. The first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), introduced the world to the iconic character Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford. The franchise has been praised for its action-packed storytelling, memorable characters, and homage to the serial adventure films of the 1930s and 1940s.

Lucas is also known for his contributions to the development of special effects in cinema. He founded Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a company that has been at the forefront of technological advancements in filmmaking, contributing to hundreds of films beyond Lucas's own projects. Additionally, Lucas founded Lucasfilm, Skywalker Sound, and THX Ltd, all of which have had significant impacts on the film industry.

In 2012, Lucas sold Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company for approximately $4 billion. Since the sale, he has been less involved in the Star Wars franchise but remains a significant figure in the film industry through his philanthropic efforts, including the George Lucas Educational Foundation, which promotes innovation in education.

Throughout his career, Lucas has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to cinema and culture, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1991 and the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Lucas's influence on filmmaking, storytelling, and popular culture is profound. His vision for Star Wars and Indiana Jones has inspired generations of filmmakers and fans, making him one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema.