Richard Marquand (22 September, 1938 - 4 September, 1987) was a Welsh film director. Born in Llanishen, Cardiff, he was educated at Emanuel School, the Université d'Aix-Marseille in Marseille, France and King's College, Cambridge. In 1970, he began a career writing and directing for television and motion pictures. His noted films include Eye of the Needle (1981) and Jagged Edge (1985). His work on Eye of the Needle impressed George Lucas so much that Lucas chose him to direct Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Marquand is the only non-American to have directed a Star Wars movie, so he is well known throughout America. He died of a stroke in Tunbridge Wells, Kent at the age of 49.
