Kathleen Kennedy, born June 5, 1953, is a prominent American film producer and the president of Lucasfilm since 2012.
She co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall in 1981 and later established The Kennedy/Marshall Company.
Kennedy has produced iconic films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and the Jurassic Park franchise.
Under her leadership, Lucasfilm has released the Star Wars sequel trilogy and various series for Disney+, including The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
Siblings
Kennedy, known as “Kick,” was the second daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald. She had eight siblings: Joseph Jr., John F. Kennedy, Rosemary, Eunice, Patricia, Robert, Jean and Ted Kennedy.
Kick was particularly close to her brothers Joe and Jack, forming a “golden trio” with them during their upbringing.
She was known for her spirited personality and defiance of family expectations, especially in her romantic choices and lifestyle.
Career
Kennedy’s career in film began in the late 1970s, where she started as an intern and assistant.
She worked with director John Milius on the film 1941 which marked her entry into Hollywood.
Her big break came when she became an assistant to Steven Spielberg during the production of Raiders of the Lost Ark and later worked on Poltergeist.
These early experiences helped her develop valuable skills in production and storytelling.
In 1981, Kennedy co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Spielberg and producer Frank Marshall. This partnership allowed her to take on a more significant role in film production.
As a producer, she played a crucial role in the making of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, a beloved film that became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
She was also a producer on Jurassic Park, which set new standards for visual effects and storytelling in cinema.
The film’s success led to a franchise that continues to thrive today.
In 1992, Kennedy and Marshall established The Kennedy/Marshall Company, where they produced films that often received critical acclaim and commercial success.
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Notable films from this period include The Sixth Sense, Seabiscuit and Bridge of Spies. These projects showcased her ability to tell compelling stories across various genres.
A significant turning point in Kennedy’s career came in 2012 when Disney acquired Lucasfilm.
She was appointed as its president, a role that positioned her at the helm of one of the most iconic franchises in film history.
Under her leadership, Lucasfilm produced the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which includes The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
Each of these films achieved considerable box office success, although they received mixed critical responses.
Kennedy also played a pivotal role in expanding the Star Wars universe through various Disney+ series.
Notable projects include The Mandalorian, which received critical acclaim and won multiple awards, helping to establish Disney+ as a major streaming platform.
Other series, such as The Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi, further explored beloved characters from the Star Wars lore.
The highly anticipated series Ahsoka continues to build on the stories of characters from The Clone Wars and Rebels.
Awards and accolades
Kennedy has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her illustrious career in film.
She is an eight-time Academy Award nominee, with nominations for Best Picture for films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Color Purple, Munich, War Horse and Lincoln.
In 2018, Kennedy was honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, recognizing her consistent excellence in film production.
She also received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2020, the highest honor from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Additionally, Kennedy was named a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her contributions to film.
Her work has earned her multiple Emmy nominations, particularly for her role as executive producer on The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
