RANCHO MIRAGE—On May 27, Oscar-winning film editor, Marcia Lucas has died at age 80, from cancer. A native of the Golden State, Marcia Lou Griffin, was born in Modesto, California in 1945. She was married to George Lucas (1969-1983) and was married to her Production Manager from she and Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch, Tom Rodrigues (1983-1993).
The same year they married (1969) she and the Oscar-winning filmmaker, George Lucas, first edited and co-edited THX 1138.
Lucas’s unique combination of talents brought forth The Candidate in 1972. Marcia Lucas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Editing of American Graffiti IN 1973. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Taxi Driver (1976). In 1977, she was nominated for another Academy Award for Best Editing of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, New York-New York (1977), More American Graffiti (1979), Star Wars Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Star Wars Episode VI-Return of the Jedi (1983).
Marcia Lucas’s talent did not stop there. She was the Executive Producer in 1996 for No Easy Way and produced The Good Son in 1998.
Lucasfilms issued the following statement on the passing of Marcia Lucas on their X Social media page.
“Everyone at Lucasfilm was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Marcia Lucas. One of three Oscar-winning editors who worked on Star Wars: A New Hope, she also contributed to American Graffiti, among other early Lucasfilm productions. We join the global filmmaking community in morning her loss.”
One of her fans Onii Chan gave the following tribute on X.
“We just lost another legend today. Marcia Lucas, the Academy Award-Winning editor whose work helped shape some of the greatest films ever made. Though often overlooked by the public, her storytelling instincts and editing talent played a major role in the success of the original Star Wars trilogy and many new Hollywood classics.” After listing the films, she contributed to Chan added. “Her impact on cinema will on through the films that continue to inspire generations. Rest in peace, legend.”
The family’s statement was first published in Variety magazine.
“Marcia will be remembered a s a brilliant storyteller, a trailblazer for women in film, a loving mother, grandmother, a generous host, and a loyal friend whose humor and sparkle filled every room she entered. 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.”
The Oscar-winning editor and producer leaves behind her daughters; Amanda Lucas and Amy Soper, her grandchildren Felix and Aeliana Hallikainen, Knox Soper, and her like family, Sarah Dyer and Jon Taylor.
