Robert Watts | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1938-05-23)23 May 1938 London, England |
| Died | 30 September 2024(2024-09-30) (aged 86) East Sussex, England |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Years active | 1968–1996 |
| Relatives | Jeremy Bulloch (half brother) Jamie Bulloch (half nephew) |
Robert Watts (23 May 1938 – 30 September 2024) was a British film producer who was best known for his involvement with theStar Wars andIndiana Jones film series.[1][2]
Watts began working in the film industry in 1960,[3] after two years'National Service.[4] His first film work was as a runner on theBoulting brothers productionA French Mistress.[4] Watts earned his union membership during two years as a runner, and later production manager, at a company based at England'sShepperton Studios which made TV commercials and documentaries.[4] He then returned to feature films as a second assistant director on the filmMan in the Middle.[4]
During the 1960s, Watts worked extensively as a production manager and location manager, including onDarling (1965) starringJulie Christie andDirk Bogarde, the 1967James Bond filmYou Only Live Twice andKubrick's2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).[5]
Watts was employed by producerGary Kurtz as production supervisor onStar Wars. He had met Kurtz several years earlier in Los Angeles.[4][6] Watts then enjoyed a long collaboration withGeorge Lucas andLucasfilm,[7] working as associate producer onThe Empire Strikes Back and co-producer onReturn of the Jedi; and as associate producer onRaiders of the Lost Ark and producer onIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom andIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He also worked on otherSteven Spielberg-presented productions, including as producer onWho Framed Roger Rabbit andAn American Tail: Fievel Goes West, and with Spielberg's long-term producerFrank Marshall on Marshall's second feature as director,Alive.
Watts was born in London on 23 May 1938.[3] His half brother wasJeremy Bulloch,[4][8] who playedBoba Fett in the originalStar Wars trilogy.
Watts died at his home inEast Sussex, on 30 September 2024, at the age of 86 from natural causes.[9][10][11][12][13]
| Year | Film | Producer | Production manager | Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 2001: A Space Odyssey | No | Yes | |
| 1970 | El Condor | No | Yes | |
| 1973 | Papillon | No | Yes | |
| 1977 | Star Wars: A New Hope | No | Yes | |
| 1980 | Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back | Associate | No | |
| 1981 | Raiders of the Lost Ark | Associate | No | |
| 1983 | Star Wars: Return of the Jedi | Co-Producer | No | Lt. Watts (AT-ST Driver) (uncredited) |
| 1984 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Yes | No | |
| 1988 | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Yes | No | |
| 1989 | Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | Yes | No | |
| 1991 | An American Tail: Fievel Goes West | Yes | No | Additional Voices |
| 1993 | Alive | Yes | No | |
| 1994 | On Deadly Ground | Executive | No |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
