Marcia Lucas, the film editor who won an Oscar for editing “Star Wars,” directed by her former husband George Lucas, and shaped several influential films of the 1970s, died Wednesday in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was 80.
The family’s attorney confirmed she died of cancer.
“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. 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 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.”
Marcia Lucas, who was known as George Lucas’ “secret weapon,” co-edited George Lucas’ “American Graffiti,” for which she was Oscar-nommed, and then won an Oscar for editing “Star Wars.” She also edited “Return of the Jedi,” as well as Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Taxi Driver” and “New York, New York.”
Born Marcia Lou Griffin in Modesto, she was raised in North Hollywood and started out as a film librarian before serving an Editor’s Guild apprenticeship. She met George Lucas when they were both hired to work with legendary editor Verna Field. She married George Lucas in 1969 and served as assistant editor on his first feature film, “THX 1138.”
They divorced in 1983. Her second marriage, which ended in 1993, was to Tom Rodrigues, who worked as a production manager at Skywalker Ranch.
She is survived by her daughters Amanda Lucas and Amy Soper; her grandchildren Felix Hallikainen, Aeliana Hallikainen, and Knox Soper and her chosen family Sarah Dyer and Jon Taylor.
