Robert Watts (23 May 1938 – 30 September 2024) was a British film producer who was best known for his involvement with the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film series.[1][2]
Robert Watts | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 May 1938 London, England |
| Died | 30 September 2024 (aged 86) East Sussex, England |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Years active | 1968–1996 |
| Relatives | Jeremy Bulloch (half brother) Jamie Bulloch (half nephew) |
Career
editWatts began working in the film industry in 1960,[3] after two years' National Service.[4] His first film work was as a runner on the Boulting brothers production A French Mistress.[4] Watts earned his union membership during two years as a runner, and later production manager, at a company based at England's Shepperton Studios which made TV commercials and documentaries.[4] He then returned to feature films as a second assistant director on the film Man in the Middle.[4]
During the 1960s, Watts worked extensively as a production manager and location manager, including on Darling (1965) starring Julie Christie and Dirk Bogarde, the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice and Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).[5]
Watts was employed by producer Gary Kurtz as production supervisor on Star Wars. He had met Kurtz several years earlier in Los Angeles.[4][6] Watts then enjoyed a long collaboration with George Lucas and Lucasfilm,[7] working as associate producer on The Empire Strikes Back and co-producer on Return of the Jedi; and as associate producer on Raiders of the Lost Ark and producer on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He also worked on other Steven Spielberg-presented productions, including as producer on Who Framed Roger Rabbit and An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, and with Spielberg's long-term producer Frank Marshall on Marshall's second feature as director, Alive.
Personal life and death
editWatts was born in London on 23 May 1938.[3] His half brother was Jeremy Bulloch,[4][8] who played Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Watts died at his home in East Sussex, on 30 September 2024, at the age of 86.[9][10][11][12][13]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Producer | Production manager |
Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 2001: A Space Odyssey | No | Yes | |
| 1970 | El Condor | No | Yes | |
| 1973 | Papillon | No | Yes | |
| 1977 | Star Wars: A New Hope | No | Yes | |
| 1980 | Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back | Associate | No | |
| 1981 | Raiders of the Lost Ark | Associate | No | |
| 1983 | Star Wars: Return of the Jedi | Co-Producer | No | Lt. Watts (AT-ST Driver) (uncredited) |
| 1984 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Yes | No | |
| 1988 | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Yes | No | |
| 1989 | Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | Yes | No | |
| 1991 | An American Tail: Fievel Goes West | Yes | No | Additional Voices |
| 1993 | Alive | Yes | No | |
| 1994 | On Deadly Ground | Executive | No |
References
edit- ^ "Robert Watts, Producer On Original Star Wars Trilogy Has Died Aged 86". thecantina.starwarsnewsnet.com. 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Robert Watts, Producer of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Has Died at 86". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ a b Adam Pirani, Robert Watts: Secrets of "The Temple of Doom", Starlog #94, April 1985, pp 23–26,62.
- ^ a b c d e f Dennis Pellegrom, Star Wars Interviews: Robert Watts, Co-producer Star Wars. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ Stuart Cummins, Interview: Robert Watts, Producer of Star Wars & Indiana Jones, whatculture.com, 25 May 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ James Hoare, "Star Wars Interview: Robert Watts", SciFiNow, 25 September 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "Robert Watts: 1938-2024". www.lucasfilm.com. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "Jeremy Bulloch". Jeremybulloch.com.
- ^ Atkins, Josh (1 October 2024). "Robert Watts, Producer on Original 'Star Wars' Trilogy Has Died Aged 86". www.starwarsnewsnet.com.
- ^ "Robert Watts Passes Away At 86". www.theforce.net. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Burns, James (1 October 2024). "Robert Watts Has Passed Away, Aged 86". Jedi News. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (1 October 2024). "Robert Watts, 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' Producer, Dies at 86". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (1 October 2024). "Robert Watts Dies: 'Star Wars' & 'Indiana Jones' Trilogies Producer Was 86". Deadline.com. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
External links
edit- Robert Watts at IMDb
- Robert Watts discography at Discogs