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Academy Award winner and the conceptual artist of the iconic "Star Wars"
franchise, Ralph McQuarrie passed away on 3 March, at the age of 82.
McQuarrie is credited with creating the look of Darth Vader, Chewbacca,
R2-D2 and C-3P0.
He also worked on the original Battlestar Galactica TV series and Steven
Spielberg films E.T. and Cocoon, for which he won an Oscar.
A statement on his official Web site reads:
"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 anyone 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."
Born in Gary, Indiana, McQuarrie began his career as a technical
illustrator for aeroplane manufacturer Boeing and designing film
posters.
He also animated US TV network CBS's coverage of Nasa's Apollo space programme.
In 1975, he was hired by Lucas to design some of the characters and scenes for his "space opera" Star Wars.
McQuarrie's conceptual designs for Stormtroopers were shown at the Star Wars: The Magic of the Myth exhibition
As well as designing some of the sets including the desert planet
Tatooine, McQuarrie also did the conceptual drawings for many
characters.
His rewards included an uncredited role in the sequel The
Empire Strikes Back, as General Pharl McQuarrie, and his own action
figure.
In a statement, Lucas said: "His genial contribution, in the
form of unequalled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of
the cast and crew of the original Star Wars trilogy.
"When words could not convey my ideas, I could always point
to one of Ralph's fabulous illustrations and say, 'do it like this'."
McQuarrie also designed the alien spaceships in Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.
In 1985, he was presented with an Academy Award for Visual
Effects for the film Cocoon - about the residents of an old people's
home given a new lease of life by visiting aliens.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17249596
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/308653/20120304/star-wars-ralph-mcquarrie-dead-darth-vader.htm
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