Hollywood has lost one of the many pioneers who helped bring Star Wars to the big screen. Longtime producer Gary Kurtz passed away on Sunday after a battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by Kurtz’s official Facebook page.
“Gary Kurtz was considered by many as a pioneer in the film industry and a master of the art of filmmaking,” the Facebook post reads. “He found any opportunity to share his expansive knowledge of the film industry with budding filmmakers and those seeking knowledge. He was a real humanitarian and a gentleman; some have said that he is one of the gentlest souls in the film profession, modest and humble, and a very unique man.”
Kurtz is best known as the producer of the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back after first collaborating with director George Lucas on 1973 comedy film American Graffiti, but he wasn’t just a producer. When production on Star Wars fell behind schedule, Kurtz stepped behind the camera as a second unit director, shooting “many pick up shots, most of the cockpit dog fighting scenes, and most of the Star Wars opening scene interior fight sequences on Princess Leia’s ship,” according to the announcement on Facebook.
Kurtz’s credits also include the wonderful fantasy films The Dark Crystal and Return To Oz, as well as Mark Hamill sci-fi flick Slipstream and cult classic drag-racing movie Two-Lane Blacktop.
The producer is survived by wife Clare Gabriel and children Tiffany Kurtz, Melissa Kurtz, and Dylan Kurtz.
This titan will be missed.