Early Life and Education of George Lucas: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of George Lucas, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

George Lucas is a highly influential American filmmaker, best known for creating the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. He founded Lucasfilm and its associated companies like Industrial Light & Magic, revolutionizing special effects and sound technology. A key figure in the New Hollywood movement, he pioneered the modern blockbuster film. Despite his mainstream success, Lucas maintained independence from Hollywood for much of his career. He sold Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 and is also a philanthropist.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1969: Marriage to Marcia Lou Griffin

In 1969, George Lucas married film editor Marcia Lou Griffin, who later won an Academy Award for her editing work on "Star Wars".

1971: Lucas founded Lucasfilm

In 1971, George Lucas founded the film production company Lucasfilm.

September 12, 1977: Lucasfilm Ltd. incorporated

On September 12, 1977, Lucasfilm was officially incorporated as Lucasfilm Ltd.

1977: Awarded the Inkpot Award

In 1977, George Lucas was awarded the Inkpot Award.

1981: Adoption of daughter Amanda Lucas

In 1981, George Lucas and his wife, Marcia Lou Griffin, adopted a daughter named Amanda Lucas.

1983: Divorce from Marcia Lou Griffin

In 1983, George Lucas and Marcia Lou Griffin divorced.

1988: Adoption of daughter Katie Lucas

In 1988, George Lucas adopted his daughter Katie Lucas as a single parent.

1991: Irving G. Thalberg Award

In 1991, George Lucas received the Academy's Irving G. Thalberg Award.

1991: The George Lucas Educational Foundation was founded

In 1991, The George Lucas Educational Foundation was founded as a nonprofit operating foundation to celebrate and encourage innovation in schools.

1993: Adoption of son Jett Lucas

In 1993, George Lucas adopted his son Jett Lucas as a single parent.

2004: Lucas reflects on transition to corporate filmmaker

In 2004, George Lucas reflected on his transition from being an independent filmmaker to a corporate filmmaker, drawing parallels to the story of Darth Vader in Star Wars. Lucas concluded that he was glad to be able to make his films the way he wanted to.

June 9, 2005: AFI Life Achievement Award

On June 9, 2005, George Lucas received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award, shortly after the release of "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith".

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2005: $1 million donation to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

In 2005, George Lucas donated $1 million to help build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.

2005: Meeting Mellody Hobson

In 2005, George Lucas met Mellody Hobson at a business conference.

September 19, 2006: Donation to USC Film School

On September 19, 2006, George Lucas donated between $175 and $180 million to the University of Southern California's film school, his alma mater. It was the largest single donation to USC and the largest gift to a film school.

2006: Dating Mellody Hobson

In 2006, George Lucas began dating Mellody Hobson after meeting her in 2005 at a business conference.

2006: Induction into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame

In 2006, George Lucas was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.

2007: Grand Marshal for the Tournament of Roses Parade

In 2007, George Lucas served as Grand Marshal for the Tournament of Roses Parade and made the ceremonial coin toss at the Rose Bowl.

2007: Appearance at the 79th Academy Awards

In 2007, George Lucas, along with Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, presented the Best Director award at the 79th Academy Awards ceremony to Martin Scorsese.

June 24, 2008: Lucas testifies for free wireless broadband educational network

On June 24, 2008, George Lucas testified before the United States House of Representatives subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet as the head of his Foundation to advocate for a free wireless broadband educational network.

September 2008: Named one of the "Greatest Americans"

In September 2008, The Discovery Channel named George Lucas one of the 100 "Greatest Americans".

2009: California Hall of Fame Inductee

In 2009, George Lucas was one of 13 California Hall of Fame inductees in The California Museum's yearlong exhibit.

July 2, 2010: "Telling Stories" Rockwell Exhibition

From July 2, 2010, to January 2, 2011, a collection of 57 Norman Rockwell paintings and drawings owned by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were displayed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in an exhibition titled "Telling Stories".

January 2, 2011: End of Rockwell Exhibition

On January 2, 2011, the exhibition "Telling Stories" which displayed 57 Norman Rockwell paintings and drawings owned by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, concluded at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

January 2012: Lucas announces retirement from blockbuster films

In January 2012, George Lucas announced his retirement from producing large blockbuster films, shifting his focus to smaller, independently budgeted features.

June 2012: Kathleen Kennedy Appointed Co-Chair of Lucasfilm Ltd.

In June 2012, Kathleen Kennedy was appointed as co-chair of Lucasfilm Ltd., and would eventually succeed George Lucas as the company's sole leader. Following the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney, Lucas became Disney's second-largest single shareholder.

2012: Sale of Lucasfilm to Disney

In 2012, George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion, with plans to donate the majority of the proceeds to philanthropic endeavors.

January 2013: Engagement to Mellody Hobson

In January 2013, George Lucas and Mellody Hobson announced their engagement.

June 2013: Lucas considers establishing Lucas Cultural Arts Museum in San Francisco

In June 2013, George Lucas considered establishing the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum in San Francisco to display his collection of illustrations and pop art.

June 22, 2013: Marriage to Mellody Hobson

On June 22, 2013, George Lucas and Mellody Hobson married at Lucas's Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California.

July 2013: National Medal of Arts

In July 2013, George Lucas was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama for his contributions to American cinema.

August 2013: Birth of daughter with Mellody Hobson

In August 2013, George Lucas and Mellody Hobson welcomed a daughter, born via surrogate.

2013: $25 Million Donation to After School Matters

In 2013, George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, donated $25 million to After School Matters, a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization where Hobson is the chair.

October 2014: Honorary Membership of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

In October 2014, George Lucas received Honorary Membership of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

August 2015: Disney Legend Induction

In August 2015, George Lucas was inducted as a Disney Legend.

December 6, 2015: Honoree at the Kennedy Center Honors

On December 6, 2015, George Lucas was an honoree at the Kennedy Center Honors.

April 15, 2016: Donation to the Obama Foundation

On April 15, 2016, George Lucas, through the Lucas Family Foundation, donated between $501,000 and $1 million to the Obama Foundation for the Barack Obama Presidential Center.

2016: Support for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, George Lucas supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for the U.S. presidential election.

2021: Donation to NYU for the Martin Scorsese Institute

In 2021, George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, through the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, donated to NYU to establish the Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts.

2021: Action Figure Release

In 2021, coinciding with Lucasfilm's 50th anniversary, an action figure of George Lucas in stormtrooper disguise was released as part of Hasbro's Star Wars: The Black Series.