Alan Ladd Jr. dies; Oscar-winning producer and studio boss greenlighted ‘Star Wars’
LOS ANGELES — Alan Ladd Jr., an Oscar-winning producer and former studio boss who, as a top executive at 20th Century Fox in the 1970s, was best known for greenlighting George Lucas’ landmark blockbuster “Star Wars,” has died at his home in Los Angeles.
Ladd died early Wednesday, daughter Amanda Ladd-Jones, who directed the documentary “Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies,” wrote on the film’s Facebook page. He was 84. No cause was given.
Once described as “one of Hollywood’s favorite sons,” Ladd was the namesake of the legendary star of the 1953 classic Western “Shane.”
Known as Laddie, the shy and laconic Ladd was known as one of Hollywood’s most likable and respected movie executives and producers.
A former talent
