Marcia Lucas, Star Wars’ Oscar-winning editor and unsung hero, dies at 80

‘Innovative artist’, who was married to George Lucas until 1983 and worked on several Martin Scorsese films, has died from metastatic cancer

Marcia Lucas, who won an Oscar as editor of the 1977 film Star Wars and was part of a group of pioneering female editors who were essential to film’s New Hollywood era, has died aged 80.

Lucas, who was married to the Star Wars creator, George Lucas , from 1969 to 1983, died on Wednesday from metastatic cancer, her attorney Deidre Von Rock said in an email to the Associated Press.

She died at home in Rancho Mirage, California, surrounded by loved ones, Von Rock said.

“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,” a family statement said. “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.”

Lucasfilm, the company founded by her ex-husband, paid tribute to her on Saturday, saying it was “deeply saddened” by her death.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the films, remembered Lucas as “not just a gifted, innovative artist, she also happened to be a genuinely nice person. Smart, funny, and just plain fun to be around. Thankfully, her memory lives on and we will never stop missing her.”

Marcia and George met when she was assistant editor on the documentary Journey to the Pacific, which he was working on as a film student. They were engaged soon after.