Gary Kurtz

Gary Kurtz (born July 27 1940 in Los Angeles, California) was the producer on Star Wars and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. There have been assertions that the alleged decline in subsequent Star Wars movies was due to his absence.

Kurtz claimed that he and George Lucas clashed over how to progress the Star Wars series. Kurtz recalled after Raiders of the Lost Ark Lucas became convinced that audiences no longer cared about the story; they were simply there for thrills and entertainment. He went on to produce The Dark Crystal and Return to Oz after departing from Star Wars.

In interviews Kurtz has expressed his dissatisfaction with Episodes VI and I. His opinion of Episodes II and III is currently unknown.

Kurtz and Lucas also collaborated on American Graffiti.

External links

• Gary Kurtz on the IMDB
• Article on Kurtz's selling of Star Wars props
• Extensive inteview with Kurtz on his career