Legendary conceptual designer and artist Ralph McQuarrie, best known for his work on the original Star Wars trilogy, passed away today at age 82. His vision was fundamental in the creation of many characters and worlds in popular films, and is greatly respected in the industry and by fans. Having passed today, a number of sentiments are being expressed on the Internet as news spreads. As a huge fan of Star Wars myself, I truly appreciate his significant contributions to the works and his contributions to other important films, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and E.T.
Mr. McQuarrie designed many characters for the original Star Wars film, now referred to as A New Hope – Darth Vader, Chewbacca, R2-D2, C-3PO, and others, as well as all manner of things seen on screen in the films, from places to vehicles and more, and is correctly credited as “defining much of the look of the ‘Star Wars’ universe“, and, in my own opinion, breathed life into the films visually.
From www.RalphMcQuarrie.com:
It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph McQuarrie.
People say you should never meet your heroes. Ralph was the exception to that rule. We were all fans of his amazing art long before we were blessed with his friendship. But once you got to know Ralph it was impossible not to become a fan of Ralph the man.
Ralph was a very special person for many more reasons than his undeniable brilliance with a brush. He was an especially kind, sensitive, deep, modest, funny and fascinating gentleman. And as fine a role model as any one could have wished for.
His influence on design will be felt forever. There’s no doubt in our hearts that centuries from now amazing spaceships will soar, future cities will rise and someone, somewhere will say…
“that looks like something Ralph McQuarrie painted.”
Read more at…
Learn more about Mr. McQuarrie’s life and work at Wikipedia.com.
Jason DeBord