Gloria Katz

Gloria Katz
Born(1942-10-25)October 25, 1942
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 25, 2018(2018-11-25) (aged 76)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, Film producer
Years active1973–1994
Spouse
​
(m. 1969⁠–⁠2018)​
Children1
AwardsNational Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay
1973 American Graffiti
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay
1973 American Graffiti

Gloria Katz (October 25, 1942 – November 25, 2018) was an American screenwriter and film producer,[1] best known for her association with George Lucas. Along with her husband Willard Huyck, Katz's credited screenplays include American Graffiti, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Howard the Duck.[1] Katz was Jewish.[2][3]

As uncredited script doctors, a common practice, Katz and Huyck helped polish Lucas's Star Wars script. Katz and Huyck are responsible for helping him with developing some of the humor and some developments for the iconic Princess Leia in the film.[4]

Early life

Katz was born in Los Angeles. She was Jewish.[5]

Death

Katz died from ovarian cancer in 2018 at the age of 76, in her native Los Angeles.[6]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Writer Producer Notes
1973 Messiah of Evil Yes Yes Also uncredited co-Director with Willard Huyck and uncredited actress; Role: Ticket Booth Zombie
American Graffiti Yes No
1975 Lucky Lady Yes No
1979 French Postcards Yes Yes Also actress; Role: Chief Snail
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Yes No
Best Defense Yes Yes
1986 Howard the Duck Yes Yes
1994 Radioland Murders Yes No

Other credits

Year Film Role Notes
1977 Star Wars Script doctor Uncredited
1979 More American Graffiti Based on characters created by
TBA
 Go West! Special thanks

Television

Year Title Writer Executive producer Notes
1988 A Father's Homecoming Yes Yes Television film
1989 Mothers, Daughters and Lovers Yes Yes

References

  1. ^ a b "Gloria Katz". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  2. ^ Erens, Patricia (1998). The Jew in American Cinema. Indiana University Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-253-20493-6.
  3. ^ McNeil Jr., Donald G. (August 20, 1984). "Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck's Best Defense Against Critics Is Their Screenwriting Track Record". People magazine. Time Inc. Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2019. Gloria is a Jewish Cinderella from Beverly Hills, and Willard is the ultimate WASP.
  4. ^ Barnes, Mike. "Gloria Katz, 'American Graffiti' Writer and 'Star Wars' Script Doctor, Dies at 76". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  5. ^ "Gloria Katz, screenwriter of 'Indiana Jones' and 'American Graffiti,' dies at 76". The Times of Israel. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  6. ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (November 28, 2018). "Gloria Katz, 'American Graffiti' and 'Temple of Doom' Screenwriter, Dies at 76". The Wrap. Retrieved November 29, 2018.