Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy BRIAN MARKS, US ASSISTANT SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR Published: 01:14 BST, 30 May 2026 | Updated: 01:43 BST, 30 May 2026
Marcia Lucas, the ex-wife of George Lucas and editor of iconic films including 1977's Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi, has died at 80.Lucas died on Wednesday at her home in Rancho Mirage, California, a representative told TMZ.She had been battling metastatic cancer at the time of her death, and she was surrounded by loved ones when she passed, they revealed. The film editor (born Marcia Lou Griffin) was renowned for her work on blockbuster films, including the original Star Wars film, which earned her an Oscar.'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,' Lucas's family said in a statement, via Variety. '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.'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, the ex-wife of George Lucas and editor of iconic films including 1977's Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi, died on Wednesday at 80 following a battle with metastatic cancer, TMZ reported Marcia came to be known as her ex-husband's 'secret weapon' in the wake of the poor reception of later Star Wars prequels and more recent sequels and spinoffs, none of which she was involved with; Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford pictured in Star Wars (1977)Marcia came to be known as her ex-husband George's 'secret weapon,' particularly in the wake of the poor reception of the later Star Wars prequels and more recent sequels and spinoffs, none of which she was involved with.Marcia and George married in 1969, and she went on to be an assistant editor on his feature directorial debut, 1971's THX 1138, while he was the lead editor. She took over the lead editor position on his follow-up, 1973's American Graffiti. The film was a hit with critics and audiences alike, and it became one of the most profitable films of all time after it earned more than $140 million in ticket sales and subsequent home video sales against a modest budget of just $777,000.But the couple's greatest success came four years later with the release of Star Wars, which was at one time the highest-grossing film of all time and remains one of the most commercially successful films ever made.Marcia collaborated on Star Wars with Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch, the latter of whom was the sole credited editor on its sequel, 1980's The Empire Strikes Back, which was directed by Irvin Kershner.In 1981, she and George adopted a daughter, Amanda Lucas, who went on to become a professional mixed martial arts fighter.Even while she was raising a young daughter, Marcia returned to work with her husband again on Return Of The Jedi (1983), which was directed by Richard Marquand, while George co-wrote and produced. Marcia was honored with an Oscar for editing the original Star Wars; (L–R) Richard Chew, Lucas, Paul Hirsch and Farrah Fawcett pictured in 1978 Even while she was raising a young daughter, Marcia returned to work with her husband again on Return Of The Jedi (1983; pictured), which was directed by Richard Marquand, while George co-wrote and produced
