George Walton Lucas Jr., born on May 14, 1944, in Modesto, California, is an American filmmaker and philanthropist. He is best known for creating the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises and founding Lucasfilm, LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and THX.

His journey into filmmaking began during his high school years when he developed an interest in cinematography and camera work. After a near-fatal car accident at the age of 18, he decided to pursue a career in film instead of car racing. He attended the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where he made several student films, including the award-winning short Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB.

His first feature film, THX 1138, was a critical success but a financial failure. However, his next film, American Graffiti, was both a critical and commercial success, earning five Academy Award nominations.

The success of American Graffiti allowed Lucas to embark on his next project, Star Wars. Released in 1977, Star Wars became a cultural phenomenon, breaking box office records and winning six Academy Awards.

George Lucas went on to produce and co-write the sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He also collaborated with Steven Spielberg to create the Indiana Jones series, which includes Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade, and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

He also established the George Lucas Educational Foundation, which promotes innovative teaching strategies in schools. He has also donated significant sums to educational institutions and charities. In 2012, he sold Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company for over four billion dollars, much of which he pledged to donate to educational causes.

His personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. He was married to film editor Marcia Griffin from 1969 to 1983, and they adopted a daughter, Amanda, in 1981.

After their divorce, George Lucas adopted two more children, Katie and Jett. In 2013, he married Mellody Hobson, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Everest, via surrogate. He has often spoken about the importance of fatherhood and how it influenced his decision to step back from directing to focus on raising his children.

Throughout his career, George Lucas has received numerous awards and honors. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards and has won the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. He has also received the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honors.