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New York Post
Inside George Lucas’ star-studded 80th birthday bash — with ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’-themed music and emcee Steve Martin
By Eric Todisco,
27 days ago
The force was with George Lucas at his 80th birthday party.
The famous filmmaker marked his milestone birthday with a star-studded party on Saturday, May 18, The Post can exclusively reveal.
The festivities took place at the Skywalker Ranch , located roughly 40 minutes north of San Francisco, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
George Lucas at Paris fashion week on July 4, 2023. Getty Images
Owned by Lucas, Skywalker Ranch is home to a main house, the man-made Lake Ewok, and Skywalker Sound, the 153,000-square-foot postproduction facility that has a 300-seat theater.
The guest list included Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Samuel L. Jackson, Tyler Perry, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Robert De Niro, Glenn Close, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, H.E.R., Alicia Keys, Don Henley, Jon Batiste, Swizz Beatz, Jon Favreau, and Warwick Davis.
George Lucas with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill at Hamill’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in March 2018. EPA
There were around 100 to 150 people at the party, including Lucas’ friends and family.
Lucas’ wife, Mellody Hobson, “was an exceptional host, warmly greeting everyone at the party,” the source told The Post.
Per the insider, the cocktail hour took place in the “Star Wars” gallery on the ranch, followed by a plated dinner and dancing in the big theater area. Dessert was served later on.
The party was a “very friendly scene” with “lots of cute convos” between the guests, the insider noted.
Steven Spielberg attended George Lucas’ 80th birthday party. Getty Images Steve Martin played emcee during the star-studded bash. GC Images
“The drinks were flowing, creating an atmosphere similar to a family gathering [rather] than a white-glove affair. Yet, I assure you, everything was on point and Lucas-themed.”
Winfrey was spotted chatting with Washington, while Ford and Queen Latifah “stole a few moments in conversation.”
Martin emceed with performances by Keys, Batiste, Henley and H.E.R.
Musicians played “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones”-themed music at various points in the evening.
Guests were even treated to the compound’s artwork, which included oil paintings of the late Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, Chewbacca and a master replica of Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber.
Samuel L. Jackson was at George Lucas’ 80th birthday party. Getty Images for TCM
Most male attendees sported suits, while others kept it casual with sneakers — including Lucas himself.
Some women were in gowns while others like Winfrey and Close wore dressy pantsuits.
The four-time Oscar nominee has been married to Hobson, 55, since 2013. He has four children: Amanda, 42, Katie, 36, Jeff, 31, and Everest, 10.
George Lucas at the GQ Global Creativity awards in New York on April 11, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Back in 2005, Lucas did an interview with Wired when “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” came out and shared what he hopes his legacy will look like in the year 2050.
“I’ll be remembered as a filmmaker,” he said. “The technological problems that I solved will be forgotten by then, but hopefully some of the stories I told will still be relevant. I’m hoping that ‘Star Wars’ doesn’t become too dated, because I think its themes are timeless. “
“If you’ve raised children, you know you have to explain things to them, and if you don’t, they end up learning the hard way,” Lucas continued. “The old stories have to be reiterated again in a form that’s acceptable to each new generation. I don’t think I’m ever going to go much beyond the old stories, because I think they still need to be told.”
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