The producer behind films like ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Dark Crystal,’ and ‘American Graffiti’ has died. Hollywood Reporter confirmed Monday that the filmmaker had died over…
The producer behind films like ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Dark Crystal,’ and ‘American Graffiti’ has died.
Hollywood Reporter confirmed Monday that the filmmaker had died over the weekend in North London, U. K., aged 78.
His family said “Gary was a magnificent man, who will be hugely missed.”
“He was a Marine, a world traveler, an outdoorsman, and a kind, compassionate human being,” his family said in a statement.
“His life’s work was to share the wonder of audio visual storytelling through the art of film.”
#StarWars producer Gary Kurtz has sadly passed away. Gary Kurtz was an American film producer whose list of credits include Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Crystal and Return to Oz all #MadeAtElstree pic.twitter.com/AVUKdsE9E6
— Elstree Studios (@ElstreeStudios) September 24,2018
RIP Gary Kurtz. A great filmmaker and man has just passed. Without him there would have been no “force”. You will be remembered in the incredible films you made that touched the lives of millions. #ESB #starwars #americangraffiti @starwars pic.twitter.com/0D9RyP3DJH
— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) September 24,2018
“It’s a shame. They make three times as much on toys as they do on films,” he said at the time.
“It’s natural to make decisions that protect the toy business, but that’s not the best thing for making quality films.”
Lucasfilm described Kurtz as a “man of immense talent and intelligence.”
Lucasfilm remembers Gary Kurtz, producer of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. https://t.co/Ldh8BYlz6p pic.twitter.com/AOGENXgWdY
— Star Wars (@starwars) September 24,2018
Kit Marlowe Film Co., which was working with Kurtz on an upcoming project, said that they were “deeply saddened” by his passing.
“He was more than a colleague; he was also a friend,” they said.
