Star Wars Concept Artist Ralph McQuarrie Remembered

Ralph McQuarrie, the man whose artistic vision inspired the look of Darth Vader, Yoda, and other iconic Star Wars characters (including Boba Fett), has died. McQuarrie passed Saturday, March 3 in his home in Berkeley, California. He was 82 years old.

Star Wars creator George Lucas had this to say (no longer on starwars.com; archive.org copy):

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of such a visionary artist and such a humble man. Ralph McQuarrie was the first person I hired to help me envision Star Wars. His genial contribution, in the form of unequaled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of the cast and crew of the original Star Wars trilogy. When words could not convey my ideas, I could always point to one of Ralph’s fabulous illustrations and say, ‘Do it like this.’

“Beyond the movies, his artwork has inspired at least two generations of younger artists—all of whom learned through Ralph that movies are designed. Like me, they were thrilled by his keen eye and creative imagination, which always brought concepts to their most ideal plateau. In many ways, he was a generous father to a conceptual art revolution that was born of his artwork, and which seized the imaginations of thousands and propelled them into the film industry. In that way, we will all be benefiting from his oeuvre for generations to come. Beyond that, I will always remember him as a kind and patient, and wonderfully talented, friend and collaborator.”

Rest in peace, Ralph.