George Walton Lucas Jr. is an American filmmaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, the self-made billionaire creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, and the founder of Lucasfilm. Born in Modesto, California, in 1944, his early interest was in cars and racing. His life pivoted dramatically just before high school graduation when he was seriously injured in a car wreck, leading him to re-evaluate his life goals.

Lucas attended the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts, one of the first universities devoted to film. His career is defined by his commitment to technological innovation in filmmaking, founding companies like Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) (special effects) and Skywalker Sound (sound design), which revolutionized the film industry.

George Lucas founded Lucasfilm and directed his first feature film, THX 1138, in 1971. His career exploded with the release of Star Wars in 1977, a film that profoundly influenced special effects, public expectations, and the entire science fiction genre. His most strategic move was retaining full control of the merchandising and sequel rights to the Star Wars franchise, a deal that secured the vast majority of his personal fortune.

The culmination of his career came in 2012 when he sold Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion in cash and stock, securing his position as a major philanthropist. He dedicated his immense personal fortune to philanthropic efforts benefiting education and cultural projects, most notably the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. He remains the standard by which filmmakers are measured in the fantasy and science fiction genres.

George Lucas is a major global philanthropist. His structural social impact is tied to his role as a technological innovator in film (ILM) and his founding of the George Lucas Educational Foundation, which promotes advancements in education (e.g., Edutopia). His commitment to The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art provides a massive cultural and educational resource for Los Angeles, focusing on storytelling and visual arts.

His career is a powerful narrative of a visionary using his art and business acumen to influence global popular culture and dedicate his fortune to education and the arts.

George Lucas maintains the casual, professional style of a film producer and technology pioneer. His attire is consistently simple and functional, often favoring plain shirts or jackets. His aesthetic is one of creative, intellectual authority.

Residing in California, his luxury is the immense security and autonomy derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to his passion for filmmaking, technological innovation, and his profound commitment to philanthropy and the arts.