Date of Birth: September 17, 1937
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: September 4, 1987
Biography
Richard Marquand was a Welsh film director known for his work on a variety of films, most notably “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.” Born in Cardiff, Wales, Marquand began his career in television, working on documentaries and drama series for the BBC. He made his feature film debut with “Hennessy” in 1975, followed by “The Legacy” in 1978. Marquand’s big break came when he was chosen by George Lucas to direct the third installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, “Return of the Jedi,” released in 1983. The film was a commercial success and solidified Marquand’s reputation in Hollywood. He went on to direct other films, including “Jagged Edge” in 1985 and “Hearts of Fire” in 1987. Marquand’s career was tragically cut short when he passed away from a stroke in 1987. Despite his brief career, his contributions to cinema, particularly the Star Wars franchise, have left a lasting impact.
5 Interesting Facts about Richard Marquand
1. Richard Marquand was selected by George Lucas to direct “Return of the Jedi” because Lucas wanted a director who could handle actors well.
2. He studied at both King’s College, Cambridge, and the University of Wales before embarking on his film career.
3. Marquand was fluent in French, which helped him in his early career when he directed several French television programs.
4. Before his film career, he served in the Royal Signals Corps of the British Army.
5. Marquand’s last film, “Hearts of Fire,” starred rock musician Bob Dylan and was released posthumously.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Marquand
1. “Directing films is a bit like being the captain of a ship—it’s a stormy journey, but the end destination makes it worthwhile.”
2. “Working on ‘Return of the Jedi’ was a monumental experience that I’ll cherish forever.”
3. “The essence of good directing is understanding the human condition and translating that to film.”
4. “In every frame of a movie, there’s an opportunity to tell a story.”
5. “Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Richard Marquand’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Richard Marquand had two children: James Marquand, who followed in his footsteps and became a film director, and Hannah Marquand.
Relevant Links
1. [IMDB Profile](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0549591/
2. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Marquand
3. [Biography on StarWars.com](https://www.starwars.com/news/the-man-who-directed-jedi
5. [Filmography](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/richard_marquand
