Entertainment Icon George Lucas to Be Inducted into Toy Industry Hall of Fame

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Renowned storyteller and legendary filmmaker George Lucas has been named the 2007 Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductee. The announcement was made today by Carter Keithley, President of Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA), sponsor of the event, and Robert Pasin, Toy Industry Hall of Fame Committee Chairman and CEO, Radio Flyer. Established in 1984, the Toy Industry Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the toy industry.


From the time it premiered in 1977, George Lucas' "Star Wars" saga took the world by storm and created a cultural phenomenon that has touched generations of kids with its epic battles and legendary characters. In addition to winning eight Academy Awards, the "Star Wars" movies set new standards for sophistication in film visuals and sound, and revolutionized the toy industry at the same time. The first "Star Wars" film inspired Kenner Products' creation of the 3-3/4-inch action figure scale, which remains an industry standard today. Designed, manufactured and marketed by Hasbro, Inc. since its purchase of Kenner in 1991, "Star Wars" toys and games are one of the best-selling toy lines in the industry's history.

"George Lucas' devotion to timeless storytelling and cutting-edge innovation has resulted in some of the most successful and beloved films, and in turn, characters and toys of all time," said Pasin. "Children and children-at-heart around the world have been enthralled and entertained, and will continue to be so through the classic toys and games based on his films."

The ceremony inducting Lucas will take place as part of the seventh annual T.O.T.Y. (Toy Of The Year) Awards event, set for the evening of Saturday, February 10, 2007, in New York City at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Lucas, the 50th Hall of Fame inductee, will be present to accept the honor in person.

Lucas has been the storywriter and executive producer of a series of box-office hits beginning with the continuation of the "Star Wars" saga, "The Empire Strikes Back," in 1980 and "Return of the Jedi" in 1983. In addition to "Star Wars," Lucas is responsible for the success of the "Indiana Jones" trilogy, has produced such acclaimed films as "Tucker: The Man and His Dream" and "Kagemusha," and created the latest "Star Wars" movies -- "The Phantom Menace" (1999), "Attack of the Clones" (2002) and "Revenge of the Sith" (2005). His company, Lucasfilm Ltd., also includes Industrial Light & Magic, the world's foremost visual-effects creator; LucasArts, a leading developer of interactive entertainment software worldwide; and Lucas Licensing, which has expanded the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" brands into best-selling novels, toys and merchandise.

The Toy Industry Hall of Fame, created in 1984, honors individuals who have made a mark on the American toy industry. Nominees may be manufacturers, retailers, designers, inventors, wholesalers or other executives who have made a significant impact in the youth entertainment market. TIA's Board of Directors made an exception and unanimously selected Lucas as the sole inductee for 2007, the first time in T.O.T.Y. Awards history.

More information on the event and ticket sales will be available at www.toy-tia.org.