Robert Watts dead: Hollywood legend who produced Star Wars & Indiana Jones movies dies aged 86 as friends pay tribute --[Reported by Umva mag]

A HOLLYWOOD legend who collaborated with George Lucas to produce Star Wars and Indiana Jones has died aged 86.

Robert Watts was a titan in the movie industry, producing film classics featuring A-list actors.

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Julian Owen at Alliance Agents confirmed the British producer’s death in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

He said: “We were with him for a decade taking him to conventions all over the world, where he could connect with fans and talk about his career.”

Several heartfelt tributes have been shared on social media by former colleagues and friends.

Roger Christian, a set decorator who won an Oscar for his work on Star Wars, took to Facebook to pay tribute to Robert Watts, claiming that “he was one of five people who really stood by George and our tiny art department to get Star Wars made”.

From a young age, Robert was destined to be in the movie business as his grandfather, Walter Meade, was already an established screenwriter.

Wanting to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, Robert became a runner on the comedy “A French Mistress” after returning from two years of national service in Nigeria.

He would later be promoted to production manager at Shepperton Studios.

However, Robert’s career took off when he collaborated with George Lucas to film Star Wars.

In a 2011 interview, he explained how at the start of filming, Lucas “was paying for us all personally because Fox had still not greenlighted the film, and they didn’t do that until January”.

Robert added: “They were under great financial problems themselves and did not believe in the movie.”

The British producer also worked alongside world-famous director Steven Spielberg on the classic Indiana Jones movies.

Robert’s impressive résumé also includes, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and the Lucas-produced “Return to Oz”.

It comes after the Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey star Maggie Smith died aged 89 after an incredible 70-year career on stage and screen.

The beloved actress played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the blockbuster film franchise.

Maggie was also well-known for bringing her scathing wit to other roles, including as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.

Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital early this morning.

In a statement issued via their publicist, they said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday September 27.

“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.”

The statement adds: “She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.

“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

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