RIP, father of the Force: Remembering Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz

He never sought the spotlight, but the spotlight was almost thrust upon him. 

Gary Kurtz, a quiet but friendly soul who died of cancer this weekend at the age of 78, was best known as the solo producer of Star Wars. If that groundbreaking, culture-changing film had won at the Academy Awards in February 1978 — and it came close to defeating Annie Hall in the ballot — then Kurtz alone would accept the Best Picture Oscar while George Lucas sat and clapped. 

That would not have been inappropriate. Though Kurtz’s role has been somewhat diminished in official Lucasfilm history, it is undeniable that he  guided the company’s three most influential and well-received films — American Graffiti, Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back — to their stellar success on the screen.  Read more…

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