OSCAR winner Marcia Lucas has died from cancer aged 80.
Known as the secret weapon and unsung hero of Star Wars, Marcia died at her holiday home in Rancho Mirage, California.
The ex-wife of George Lucas, Marcia was best known for editing Star Wars and Return of the Jedi.
Marcia died on Wednesday evening, her family said.
In an emotional statement, they called the filmmaker a “trailblazer”.
A family member said: “Marcia was a force.”
“A true trailblazer for women in film and one of the most influential editors in cinematic history; she helped redefine what film editing could be and paved the way for generations of women who followed.”
She won an Academy Award in 1977 for Best Film Editing.
In 1969 she married George Lucas, who she had met while working on the documentary Journey to the Pacific.
Raised in North Hollywood, Marcia met her future husband while they were working as assistants for editor Verna Fields.