It is with great sadness that we report the passing of STAR WARS concept artist Ralph McQuarrie. The legendary artist helped George Lucas visualise the look of such iconic characters from the famous series, including C3PO, R2D2 and Darth Vader amongst many others. He also worked with Steven Spielberg on two of his classics, E.T. and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.
McQuarrie won the Academy Award in 1985 for Best Visual Effects for his work on COCOON, but it will be for the original STAR WARS trilogy that he will be remembered. He even got to star in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK as General Pharl McQuarrie and get his own action figure too.
George Lucas said in a statement: “His genial contribution, in the form of unequalled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of the cast and crew of the original Star Wars trilogy.
“When words could not convey my ideas, I could always point to one of Ralph’s fabulous illustrations and say, ‘do it like this’.”
Rest in Peace Mr. McQuarrie… Here’s some of his work…
Source: BBC
