Oscar-Winning Producer Alan Ladd Jr. Dies Aged 84

Veteran film producer Alan Ladd Jr., who commissioned George Lucas to write Star Wars, has died at the age of 84.

Ladd’s daughter Amanda Ladd-Jones, confirmed the news with a post on social media.

“With the heaviest of hearts, we announce that on March 2, 2022, Alan Ladd, Jr. died peacefully at home surrounded by his family,” she wrote.

“Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on films and filmmaking will live on in his absence,” she added.

His brother, David Ladd also shared the news on his Facebook, writing: “My brother, my friend, my hero, who always stood by my side. We will stand together again on the other side! I love you Laddie.”

In 1996, Ladd won an Academy Award for Best Picture for producing Mel Gibson’s Scottish epic Braveheart.

The former Fox executive has also been credited as the one who greenlit Star Wars in the 1970s, even when the studio was pushing to scrap the film due to budgeting concerns.

Rest In Peace, Alan.

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