George Lucas - Biography

George Walton Lucas, Jr. was born in May 14, 1944 in Modesto, California, USA. His father, George Walton Lucas was owner of stationery store and mother, Dorothy Ellinore Bomberger Lucas was a member of a prominent Modesto family.

In childhood, George Lucas was interested in the car racing. In 1962, he had a serous accident. The accident changed his views on life.

George Lucas studied in Modesto Junior College. After that he enrolled in the University of Southern California film school. After graduation, George Lucas was hired as a teaching assistant, to train cameramen for the U.S. Military. In this school, he made so many films including "THX-1138: 4EB". For this movie he tool first prize at the 1967-68 National Student Film Festival.

George Lucas was tried for joining the Air Force as an officer, but because of his numerous speeding tickets, he was turned down. After that the Army drafted him, but tests showed that he had diabetes.

On February 22, 1969, George Lucas married with Marcia Lucas and divorced in 1983. George Lucas has three adopted children including Amanda Lucas (born on 1981), Katie Lucas (born on 1988), and Jett Lucas (born 1993).

In 1969, George Lucas and Coppola formed a company called American Zoetrope. The company's first project was full-length version of "THX 1138". After that in 1971, Lucas formed his own company, Lucasfilm Ltd.

In 1973, he wrote and directed the movie "American Graffiti". In this movie, Harrison Ford played role of Bob Falfa. This movie won the Golden Globe award and garnered five Academy Award nominations.

George Lucas had a dog called 'Indiana' which inspired him for the Indiana Jones character and also Chewbacca from Star Wars.

During 1973 to 1974, he was busy in writing the screenplay for Star Wars. For producing the visual effects needed for this movie, he established the ILM (Industrial Light & Magic). Another one called Sprocket Systems was established to edit and mix Star Wars. "Star War" movie broke all the all box office records and won seven Academy Awards.

On 5 ^th June 2005, the Discovery Channel named George Lucas as 100th "Greatest American" by the Discovery Channel. On June 9, 2005, The American Film Institute awarded Lucas its Lifetime Achievement Award for 2005.