George Lucas’s ex-wife Marcia Lucas dies at 80 after editing Star Wars

Marcia Lucas, the ex-wife of George Lucas and editor of iconic films including 1977’s Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi, has died at 80.

Lucas died on Wednesday at her home in Rancho Mirage, California, a representative told TMZ.

She had been battling metastatic cancer at the time of her death, and she was surrounded by loved ones when she pᴀssed, they revealed. 

The film editor was renowned for her work on blockbuster films, including the original Star Wars film, which earned her an Oscar.

‘Marcia will be remembered as a brilliant storyteller, a trailblazer for women in film, a loving mother and grandmother, a generous host, and a loyal friend whose humor and sparkle filled every room she entered,’ Lucas’s family said in a statement, via Variety. ‘Her influence on film is indelible, but those who knew her best will remember the way she made life feel more vivid, more beautiful, more fun, and more full of love.

‘Her work was known for its emotional intelligence, rhythm, and humanity — a rare ability to find the truth of a scene and bring heart, momentum, and clarity to the screen.’

Marcia Lucas, the ex-wife of George Lucas and editor of iconic films including 1977’s Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi, died on Wednesday at 80 following a battle with metastatic cancer, TMZ reported

Marcia came to be known as her ex-husband’s ‘secret weapon’ in the wake of the poor reception of later Star Wars prequels and more recent sequels and spinoffs, none of which she was involved with; Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford pictured in Star Wars (1977)

Marcia came to be known as her ex-husband George’s ‘secret weapon,’ particularly in the wake of the poor reception of the later Star Wars prequels and more recent sequels and spinoffs, none of which she was involved with.

Marcia and George married in 1969, and she went on to be an ᴀssistant editor on his feature directorial debut, THX 1138, while he was the lead editor. 

She took over the lead editor position on his follow-up, 1973’s American Graffiti. 

The film was a hit with critics and audiences alike, and it became one of the most profitable films of all time after it earned more than $140 million in ticket sales and subsequent home video sales against a modest budget of just $777,000.

Marcia was honored with an Oscar for editing the original Star Wars; (L–R) Richard Chew, Lucas, Paul Hirsch and Farrah Fawcett pictured in 1978