Star Wars and Indiana Jones 'movie legend' dies aged 86

Tributes have been paid after Robert Watts died at his home in East Sussex

Film producer Robert Watts has died at the age of 86 as tributes for the icon pour in. Watts is known for his involvement with Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

He died at his home in East Sussex on Monday, September 29. His long career in the entertainment industry began with roles as a production manager and location manager.

His rep Julian Owen at Alliance Agents told The Hollywood Reporter: "We were with him for a decade taking him to conventions all over the world, where he could connect with fans and talk about his career." Watts is credited as a production supervisor on Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) - the first film in the original trilogy.

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It marked the start of his collaboration with filmmaker George Lucas and his production company Lucasfilm. Watts is credited as an associate producer on Star Wars sequel the Empire Strikes Back (1980) and then as a co-producer on Return of the Jedi (1983).

His late brother Jeremy Bulloch was behind the Boba Fett costume in those two films, Mirror reports. The collaboration between Watts and Lucas extended beyond Star Wars, with them both working on the three original Indiana Jones films.

Lucas created the franchise and was an executive producer. The films were directed by Steven Spielberg, who worked with Watts on other projects.

Watts was an associate producer on the first Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). He was then a producer on its sequels the Temple of Doom (1984) and the Last Crusade (1989).

He was also a producer on films including Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) and Alive (1993). Watts was said to have been a production manager on 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

Tributes have since been paid following the news of his death. Former colleague Frank Marshall, who was a producer on some of the same films Warrs worked on, wrote: "We have sadly lost another great one, Robert Watts, a producer on ALIVE and many STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES movies.

"He was loved by all who worked with him, and I learned a lot from his vast knowledge, wonderful spirit and sense of humor. Sail on, dear friend, sail on."

ITV News presenter David Whiteley wrote in his tribute: "This one hurts a hell of a lot. Farewell to a movie legend, a wonderful Hollywood producer but above all a good friend. [...] Robert was a true giant of Hollywood, with a great sense of humour, wit & intelligence but all with such humility and was always overwhelmed when meeting his fans at conventions.

"Thank you Robert. For everything. The Force will be with you, always." One Star Wars fan account tweeted: "Watts' impact on Star Wars cannot be overstated after serving as production manager, associate producer, and co-producer of episodes IV, V, & VI, respectively."

Another person wrote: "So sad to hear of the passing of #RobertWatts, a lovely man who always brought laughter with him whenever we hung out together, a great loss."