GARY Kurtz, who produced, wrote and devised Star Wars and other Hollywood hits such as American Graffiti, has died of cancer aged 78.

Kurtz, who passed away yesterday, served in the US Marine Corps in the Vietnam War and it was his epic experience of the conflict that later directly influence his film making skills and story telling ethos.

5 Gary Kurtz with Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford Credit: Kurtz Joiner Archive

The news was tweeted by the Star Wars actor famed for playing Chewbacca, Peter Mayhew.

Paying tribute to the film making legend, he said: "RIP Gary Kurtz. A great filmmaker and man has just passed.

"Without him there would have been no 'force'.

"You will be remembered in the incredible films you made that touched the lives of millions."

5

5 Best friends... Kurtz with Chewbacca Credit: Kurtz Joiner Archive

5 Carrie Fisher and Kurtz having fun on set

Because the movie maker had studied religion extensively in his early years, during the making of Star Wars he suggested to director George Lucas that he might give the film a sufficiently universal religion to help to give it more depth.

That led to Kurtz working on the "Star Wars” screenplay and developing “The Force”.

Kurtz’s well-developed skills in directing, editing, producing and storytelling made him the perfect partner for the young upcoming George Lucas.

They met through Godfather and Apocalypse Now director Francis Ford Coppola in 1971 and began a collaboration that lasted over a decade.

As well as bringing the Skywalker stories to the big screen, Kurtz produced “American Graffiti” and “The Dark Crystal”.

Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard in director George Lucas' American Graffiti - produced by Gary Kurtz

MOST READ IN NEWS Exclusive 'NIGHTMARE' Terrified BA crew detained in 'prison camp' Covid quarantine in Hong Kong ESCO-BUCKS! Pablo Escobar's nephew finds £14m in cash stashed in wall of drug lord's house 'MUST ACT NOW' France sees highest daily covid infections as 16,096 test positive in a day LASHED TO BITS Paedo collapses as he’s caned 52 times after being sentenced to 169 lashes ON THE RUN Brit who ‘slaughtered hooker with snooker cue and machete is hiding in Ireland' JOHNNY ROTTEN Cops seize 324,000 used condoms being washed & sold as NEW in Vietnam raid

5 May the force be with him indeed... the late Gary Kurtz Credit: Getty - Contributor

A family statement read: “Gary was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague, and mentor, whose work and talent spanned filmmaking, photography, music, and cinema history.

“He was a Marine, a world traveller, an outdoorsman, and a kind, compassionate human being. … Gary was a magnificent man, who will be hugely missed.

"His whole family thanks you for your loving thoughts.”

Late Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz partly blamed himself for Hollywood's reliance on big budget blockbusters

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.