Gloria Katz (October 25, 1942 – November 25, 2018) was an American screenwriter and film producer,[1] best known for her association with George Lucas. Along with her husband Willard Huyck, Katz's credited screenplays include American Graffiti, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Howard the Duck.[1] Katz was Jewish.[2][3]
Gloria Katz | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 25, 1942 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | November 25, 2018 (aged 76) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Screenwriter, Film producer |
| Years active | 1973–1994 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay 1973 American Graffiti New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay 1973 American Graffiti |
As uncredited script doctors, a common practice, Katz and Huyck helped polish Lucas's Star Wars script. Katz and Huyck are responsible for helping him with developing some of the humor and some developments for the iconic Princess Leia in the film.[4]
Early life
editKatz was born in Los Angeles. She was Jewish.[5]
Death
editKatz died from ovarian cancer in 2018 at the age of 76, in her native Los Angeles.[6]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Film | Writer | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Messiah of Evil | Yes | Yes | Also uncredited co-Director with Willard Huyck and uncredited actress; Role: Ticket Booth Zombie |
| American Graffiti | Yes | No | ||
| 1975 | Lucky Lady | Yes | No | |
| 1979 | French Postcards | Yes | Yes | Also actress; Role: Chief Snail |
| 1984 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Yes | No | |
| Best Defense | Yes | Yes | ||
| 1986 | Howard the Duck | Yes | Yes | |
| 1994 | Radioland Murders | Yes | No |
Other credits
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Star Wars | Script doctor | Uncredited |
| 1979 | More American Graffiti | Based on characters created by | |
TBA |
Go West! | Special thanks |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Writer | Executive producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | A Father's Homecoming | Yes | Yes | Television film |
| 1989 | Mothers, Daughters and Lovers | Yes | Yes |
References
edit- ^ a b "Gloria Katz". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
- ^ Erens, Patricia (1998). The Jew in American Cinema. Indiana University Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-253-20493-6.
- ^ McNeil Jr., Donald G. (August 20, 1984). "Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck's Best Defense Against Critics Is Their Screenwriting Track Record". People magazine. Time Inc. Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
Gloria is a Jewish Cinderella from Beverly Hills, and Willard is the ultimate WASP.
- ^ Barnes, Mike. "Gloria Katz, 'American Graffiti' Writer and 'Star Wars' Script Doctor, Dies at 76". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ "Gloria Katz, screenwriter of 'Indiana Jones' and 'American Graffiti,' dies at 76". The Times of Israel. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (November 28, 2018). "Gloria Katz, 'American Graffiti' and 'Temple of Doom' Screenwriter, Dies at 76". The Wrap. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
External links
edit- Gloria Katz at IMDb