Who was Robert Watts? Career explored as Star Wars and Indiana Jones producer dies aged 86

Robert Watts, the British film producer and production manager, renowned for his work on the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday at his home in West Sussex, England. He was 86 years old. His representative, Julian Owen of Alliance Media, confirmed the news, stating:

"Goodnight to my wonderful friend and client Robert Watts, Producer of some of the most famous films in cinema history. Talking about his career was his favourite thing to do. We had some amazing adventures together which I will cherish forever."

---

Robert Watts's early career and major achievements

The set of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Image via Getty)

Robert Watts was born on May 23, 1938, in London. His early engagements were as a second assistant director on movies including The Man in the Middle (1964), Thunderball (1965).

He quickly progressed to more prominent positions, working as a production manager on iconic films like Stanley Kubrick’s 2001, Marooned (1969), A Space Odyssey (1968), and Papillon (1973).

Watts rose to fame when he partnered with producer Gary Kurtz who had worked with him on The Wrath of God in 1972. Robert Watts met George Lucas through producer Gary Kurtz.

He then participated in George Lucas’ science fiction film, Star Wars as a production supervisor and selected locations in Morocco and Tunisia to shoot scenes with Lucas’ script.

Reflecting on the production challenges in a 2011 interview, Watts remarked:

"We were under a great deal of pressure from 20th Century Fox. George was under a great deal of pressure. As a result, so were we all."

This was not the only instance of Robert Watts’ contribution to the Star Wars series. Primetime Emmy Award winning producer went on to serve as associate producer for the sequel: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and was the co-producer for the third part Return of the Jedi (1983).

He moved beyond the "galaxy far, far away" when he worked on Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first film of the Indiana Jones series. He continued to work in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) as well as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) but this time as a producer.

On the set of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. (Image via Getty)

These films grossed over $3.34 billion worldwide. In addition to his work on successful franchises, Watts also produced Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), a revolutionary live-action and animation hybrid film, and An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991).

During the 1990s, Robert Watts remained active in the industry, working on projects like Alive (1993) and its accompanying documentary Alive: 20 Years Later. His impact on cinema was further highlighted by his colleagues. Director Frank Marshall, who worked with Watts on multiple occasions, paid tribute to him on X and wrote:

"We have sadly lost another great one, Robert Watts. He was loved by all who worked with him, and I learned a lot from his vast knowledge, wonderful spirit, and sense of humor."

Watts was known for his deep connection to the films he worked on. In Return of the Jedi, he made an uncredited appearance as an AT-ST driver and provided voice work for An American Tail: Fievel Goes West.

Robert Watts's representative, Julian Owen, noted that Watts’ "lasting wish was to see Harrison Ford one last time." This wish was fulfilled at the London premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023.

As of now, details about Watts' memorial service have not been made available.