George Jenson, the Oscar nominated production designer who brought his talents to numerous major productions including Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Terminator 2 and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World passed away on May 25th aged 87, 35 years to the day since the release of his foray into the Star Wars galaxy, Return of the Jedi was released.
Born in Calgary, Canada, his family moved to Los Angeles when he was six. He was the younger brother of stuntman/character actor Roy Jenson. After serving overseas in Germany for the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Jenson attended the Art Students League in New York City on the G.I. Bill.
He was the production illustrator on 1983’s “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.” Jenson received his Oscar nomination for visual effects on “2010” in 1984.
Jenson began his career in the film industry in 1964 as a production illustrator/storyboard artist at 20th Century Fox Studios, working for producer Irwin Allen’s series “Lost in Space,” “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” “Time Tunnel,” and “Land of the Giants.” He moved to Filmation Associates as a layout artist and illustrator on the animated TV series “Star Trek,” “Mission: Magic,” “Lassie’s Rescue Rangers,” and “My Favorite Martian” during 1972-75.
Our condolences to Jenson’s family, friends and colleagues.
