G eorge Lucas is a legendary American film director, producer, and screenwriter who is the creator of two of the most successful and iconic film franchises in history: *Star Wars* and *Indiana Jones*. A key figure in the New Hollywood era of filmmaking, he gained initial acclaim for his film *American Graffiti*. His next project, the epic space opera *Star Wars*, released in 1977, became a cultural phenomenon and changed the course of cinema.

In a move of incredible business foresight, Lucas famously negotiated to retain the merchandising and sequel rights for *Star Wars* in exchange for a lower directing fee. This deal made him a billionaire, as the franchise grew into a massive and enduring media empire. He also founded the visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and the sound design company Skywalker Sound, which have revolutionized filmmaking technology. In 2012, he sold his production company, Lucasfilm, and the rights to *Star Wars* and *Indiana Jones* to The Walt Disney Company for over $4 billion in cash and stock. He has since focused on philanthropy, having signed the Giving Pledge.