Lawrence Kasdan
Biography
Lawrence Kasdan is an American filmmaker born on January 14, 1949, in Miami, Florida, USA. He is known for updating old Hollywood genres in a classical dramatic style with quick-witted dialogue while dealing with contemporary social themes. Kasdan has written for various films, including the Star Wars series, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Bodyguard. He has also directed films such as Body Heat, The Big Chill, Silverado, and The Accidental Tourist. As a writer, Kasdan has made significant contributions to the film industry with his work on numerous projects.
Career overview
Lawrence Kasdan is a prolific American filmmaker known for his work in various genres. As a writer, he has contributed to several notable films. Kasdan co-wrote the Star Wars films, including The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, as well as the more recent installments, The Force Awakens and Solo: A Star Wars Story. He also wrote the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Bodyguard.
Kasdan's writing style is characterized by classical dramatic storytelling and quick-witted dialogue. He has updated old Hollywood genres such as film noir, science fiction, and Westerns to address contemporary social themes. His body of work includes a range of films that showcase his versatility as a writer.
As a writer, Kasdan has accumulated a significant number of credits, with over 50 known works to his name. His writing career spans multiple decades, with notable films released in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Kasdan's contributions to the film industry have been significant, and his work continues to be celebrated for its craftsmanship and storytelling ability.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
78 titles- Marty, Life Is Short (2026) as Self (voice)
- Marty, Life Is Short (2026) Director
- Marty, Life Is Short (2026) Producer
- Music by John Williams (2024) as Self - Filmmaker
- Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford (2023) as Self
- LIGHT & MAGIC (2022) Executive Producer
- LIGHT & MAGIC (2022) Director
- Last Week at Ed's (2019) Director
- Last Week at Ed's (2019) Producer
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Writer
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Executive Producer
- Kasdan on Kasdan (2018) as Self
- Five Came Back (2017) as Self
- Five Came Back (2017) as Self
- John Williams: The Seventh Symphony (2016) as Self
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) Creative Consultant
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) Co-Producer
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) Writer
- Darling Companion (2012) Director
- Darling Companion (2012) Writer
- Darling Companion (2012) Producer
- A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later (2011) as Self
- In the Land of Women (2007) Producer
- The TV Set (2007) Executive Producer
- All of What Follows Is True: The Making of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' (2006) as Self
- Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool (2005) as Self
- The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (2004) as Self
- Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004) as Self
- The Force Is with Them: The Legacy of 'Star Wars' (2004) as Self
- Männer im Trenchcoat, Frauen im Pelz (2004) as Self
- Dreamcatcher (2003) Director
- Dreamcatcher (2003) Screenplay
- Dreamcatcher (2003) Producer
- 100 Greatest Sexy Moments (2003) as Self
- Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy (2003) as self
- Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven' (2000) as Self
- Mumford (1999) Director
- Mumford (1999) Writer
- Mumford (1999) Producer
- The Making of Silverado (1999) as Self
- The Big Chill: A Reunion (1999) as Self - Writer, Director, Executive Producer
- Home Fries (1998) Producer
- As Good as It Gets (1997) as Dr. Green
- Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery (1997) as Self
- French Kiss (1995) Director
- Montana Jones (1994) Original Story
- Wyatt Earp (1994) as Gambler
- Wyatt Earp (1994) Director
- Wyatt Earp (1994) Screenplay
- Wyatt Earp (1994) Producer
- The Bodyguard (1992) Screenplay
- The Bodyguard (1992) Producer
- Grand Canyon (1991) Director
- Grand Canyon (1991) Writer
- Grand Canyon (1991) Producer
- Jumpin' at the Boneyard (1991) Executive Producer
- I Love You to Death (1990) Director
- Immediate Family (1989) Executive Producer
- The Accidental Tourist (1988) Director
- The Accidental Tourist (1988) Screenplay
- The Accidental Tourist (1988) Producer
- Cross My Heart (1987) Producer
- Silverado (1985) Director
- Silverado (1985) Screenplay
- Silverado (1985) Producer
- Into the Night (1985) as Detective #2
- Return of the Jedi (1983) Screenplay
- The Big Chill (1983) Director
- The Big Chill (1983) Executive Producer
- The Big Chill (1983) Writer
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Screenplay
- Body Heat (1981) Director
- Body Heat (1981) Writer
- Continental Divide (1981) Writer
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Screenplay
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- November Road Director
- November Road Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Lawrence Kasdan best known for?
Lawrence Kasdan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Marty, Life Is Short (2026), Marty, Life Is Short (2026), Marty, Life Is Short (2026), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).
When and where was Lawrence Kasdan born?
Lawrence Kasdan was born on January 14, 1949 in Miami, Florida, USA.
How many credits does Lawrence Kasdan have?
Lawrence Kasdan has accumulated over 78 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1971 to 2026.
What is Lawrence Kasdan's background in cinema and television?
Lawrence Kasdan is an American filmmaker born on January 14, 1949, in Miami, Florida, USA. He is known for updating old Hollywood genres in a classical dramatic style with quick-witted dialogue while dealing with contemporary social themes. Kasdan has written for various films, including the Star Wars series, Raiders o...
Lawrence Kasdan by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Marty, Life Is Short (2026) as Self (voice) — aged about 77
- As Good as It Gets (1997) as Dr. Green — aged about 48
- Wyatt Earp (1994) as Gambler — aged about 45
- Into the Night (1985) as Detective #2 — aged about 36
- Film '72 (1971) as Self — aged about 22
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