Willard Huyck

Willard Miller Huyck, Jr. (born September 8, 1945) is an American screenwriter, director and producer,[1] best known for his association with George Lucas.[2]

Willard Huyck
Born
Willard Miller Huyck, Jr.

(1945-09-08) September 8, 1945
Minneapolis, Minnesota
OccupationScreenwriter, film director
Years active1969–present
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1969; died 2018)​
AwardsNational Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay
1973 American Graffiti

New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay
1973 American Graffiti
Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Screenplay American Graffiti

Career

Huyck and Lucas met as students at the film school of the University of Southern California, and became members of Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope group of filmmakers. Along with his wife Gloria Katz, Huyck worked on writing the screenplays of films including American Graffiti, Lucky Lady, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Radioland Murders,[1] and performed uncredited work on the original Star Wars.[3][4] He also directed four films he co-wrote with Gloria Katz: Messiah of Evil, French Postcards, Best Defense, and Howard the Duck.[2] The latter film is considered to be one of the worst films ever made and earned Huyck a Razzie nomination for Worst Director and a win for Worst Screenplay at the 7th Golden Raspberry Awards, though it has since become a cult classic.

Personal life

Huyck married Katz in 1969.[5] They remained married until her death in 2018. They had one daughter, Rebecca, born in 1983.

Filmography
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
1968 The Devil's 8 No Yes No
1973 Messiah of Evil Yes Yes Yes
American Graffiti No Yes No
1975 Lucky Lady No Yes No
1977 Star Wars No Partial No Script doctor
1979 French Postcards Yes Yes No
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom No Yes No
Best Defense Yes Yes No
1986 Howard the Duck Yes Yes No
1989 Mothers, Daughters and Lovers No Yes Yes Television film
1994 Radioland Murders No Yes No
2008 Secrets of a Hollywood Nurse No Yes No Television film
Role: Electronic Larynx Man

References
  1. "Willard Huyck". The New York Times.
  2. James, Caryn (August 1, 1986). "Howard the Duck (1986) SCREEN: FROM GEORGE LUCAS, 'HOWARD THE DUCK'". The New York Times.
  3. Laurent Bouzereau. Star Wars - The Annotated Screenplays.
  4. "Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Starkiller (Revised Fourth Draft)".
  5. "Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck's Best Defense Against Critics Is Their Screenwriting Track Record" By Donald G. McNeil Jr. August 20, 1984 People Magazine accessed 22 April 2015
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