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1944: George Lucas is born in Modesto, CA

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1944: George Lucas is born in Modesto, CA

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George Lucas was born on May 14, 1944, in Modesto, California, to parents George Walton Lucas Sr. and Dorothy Ellinore Bomberger Lucas. His father ran a stationery store and owned a small walnut orchard. Lucas grew up in Modesto and developed an early interest in cars and drag racing. He attended Thomas Downey High School, where he showed an aptitude for photography and filmmaking. These early experiences in Modesto would later influence his creative vision, particularly in his coming-of-age film American Graffiti.

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George Lucas had a bad car crash in 1962, just before finishing high school. While driving home from the library in his Bianchina, his friend, Frank Ferreira, who was driving right behind him, his friend, Frank Ferreira, who was driving right behind him, tried to pass him on the left as Lucas turned left onto his family’s ranch. Lucas was thrown from the car, which crashed into a tree. He was hurt badly but survived. This made him reassess his plans to become a race car driver. Instead, he went to college and studied psychology, anthropology, and philosophy and also got back into photography. He met Haskell Wexler, a famous filmmaker, who encouraged him to go to film school at USC.

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In 1971, George Lucas founded Lucasfilm after the success of his film THX 1138. Lucas founded the company to have more creative control over his projects and to explore innovative filmmaking techniques. Lucasfilm became known for producing iconic films such as the Star Wars series and the Indiana Jones series. The founding of Lucasfilm contributed to shaping the landscape of modern cinema by transforming special effects technology.

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1981: Best Foreign Producer (David di Donatello Awards)

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1981: Best Foreign Producer (David di Donatello Awards)

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At the 1981 David di Donatello Awards in Italy, George Lucas, along with Francis Ford Coppola, won the award for Best Foreign Producer (Migliore Produttore Straniero) for their work on Kagemusha.

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Together with Tomlinson Holman, an American film theorist, audio engineer, and inventor of film technologies, George Lucas founds THX Ltd. The company is known for developing and licensing the THX standards. THX represents a set of high-quality audiovisual standards for movie theaters, screening rooms, home theaters, computer speakers, and other audio systems.

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In 1990, George Lucas, as an executive producer, was awarded the CINE Golden Eagle for his involvement in USC – The First Fifty Years.

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In 1990, George Lucas, as an executive producer, was awarded the CINE Golden Eagle for his involvement in USC – The First Fifty Years.

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Created in 1991 by filmmaker George Lucas, the George Lucas Educational Foundation aims to enhance K-12 education, ensuring that every student can gain and use the essential knowledge and skills they need. As they put it, the three most important skills for the 21st century are: finding fact-based information, checking its accuracy, and using it creatively to get things done.

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In 1992, George Lucas received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the 64th Oscars. The crew of the orbiting space shuttle Atlantis (STS-45) took part in the presentation, with an Oscar statuette aboard to mark the event.

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Lifetime Achievement Award – Sci-Fi Universe Magazine

In 1995, George Lucas was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Sci-Fi Universe Magazine in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Special Award – National Board of Review

In 2002, George Lucas received a Special Award from the National Board of Review in the USA for visionary cinematic achievement.

Excellence in Film award – BAFTA

In April 2002, George Lucas received the prestigious Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Joined by numerous celebrities, Lucas accepted the award in Los Angeles. Lucas was honored for his contributions to filmmaking at the 11th annual Britannia Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton. Gary Dartnall, BAFTA/LA chairman, highlighted Lucas’ impact on the industry through innovative techniques and experiences.

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In 2003, George Lucas was honored with the Nikola Tesla Award at the Satellite Awards in Los Angeles, California, USA. The Nikola Tesla Award at the Satellite Awards is presented for significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology in the entertainment industry.

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Vanguard Award – PGA

In 2003, George Lucas was honored with the Vanguard Award at the PGA Awards in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Festival Trophy – Cannes

In 2005, George Lucas was awarded the Festival Trophy at the Cannes Film Festival for his significant contributions to cinema. The Festival Trophy is a prestigious honor presented to personalities with outstanding achievements in the film industry.

Life Achievement Award – AFI

In 2005, George Lucas was awarded the Life Achievement Award by the American Film Institute (AFI).

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2005: Filmmaker’s Award – Motion Picture Sound Editors

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2005: Filmmaker’s Award – Motion Picture Sound Editors

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In 2005, George Lucas was honored with the Filmmaker’s Award by the Motion Picture Sound Editors in the USA. This award recognized Lucas’ exceptional contributions to the art of filmmaking, particularly in sound editing, his innovative approach to storytelling, visual effects, and sound design, setting new standards in the industry.

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2005: $500K – Koret Family House, $1 million – Martin Luther King memorial

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2005: $500K – Koret Family House, $1 million – Martin Luther King memorial

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In the same year, George Lucas made significant contributions to philanthropy. He raised $500K for the Koret Family House, which offered free temporary housing for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families undergoing treatment at the University of California, San Francisco Children’s Hospital. The same year, in continued support of causes related to children’s health, Lucas contributed $1 million towards the Martin Luther King memorial.

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2006: Jules Verne Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2006, George Lucas received the Jules Verne Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and imagination in storytelling.

2009: Career Achievement Award Motion Picture Sound Editors

In 2009, George Lucas received the Career Achievement Award for his contributions to sound editing and cinematic soundscapes.

2009: Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award Art Directors Guild

In 2009, George Lucas received the Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award for his pioneering work in special effects, set design, and storytelling.

2010: Signs the Giving Pledge

In July 2010, George Lucas joined the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of his wealth to improving education.

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In 2012, George Lucas was honored with the Vanguard Award at the Image Awards presented by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in the USA. The Vanguard Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting social justice, civil rights, and diversity in the entertainment industry. George Lucas was honored with this award in recognition of his efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in filmmaking and for his support of underrepresented voices in cinema.

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In 2012, George Lucas, sells Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company and retires from corporate life. The transaction included the rights to Star Wars and its related properties, marking a significant milestone in the history of the saga. Disney could now produce new Star Wars films and extend the universe across diverse media platforms.

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In 2013, George Lucas married Mellody Hobson, a businesswoman and investment expert in California, president of Ariel Investments and board member of major corporations. George Lucas and Mellody Hobson met in 2006 at a business conference where they were introduced by a mutual friend. They began dating shortly after and announced their engagement in January 2013. Their wedding took place in June of the same year at Skywalker Ranch, Lucas’ property in California.

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In 2018, George Lucas won the Online Film & Television Association (OFTA) Film Award in the Creative category. The OFTA Awards honor outstanding achievements in film and television as recognized by an online community of critics, reviewers, and enthusiasts. The Creative category, for which George Lucas won, includes creative contributions to filmmaking, such as innovative storytelling, imaginative world-building, and visual effects.

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May 25, 2024: Honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival

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May 25, 2024: Honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival

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George Lucas will be awarded an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, joining a select few. The Cannes Film Festival runs May 14-25, and the award will be presented during the closing ceremony, on May 25th. Last year, Harrison Ford, known for his roles in Lucas’ films, received the same honor.