
American Graffiti

American Graffiti is a 1973 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by George Lucas, produced by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz and Lucas, and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Bo Hopkins, and Wolfman Jack. Set in Modesto, California, in 1962, the film is a study of the cruising and early rock ‘n’ roll cultures popular among Lucas’s age group at the time. Through a series of vignettes, it tells the story of a group of teenagers and their adventures over the course of a night.
While Lucas was working on his first film, THX 1138, Coppola asked him to write a coming-of-age film. The genesis of American Graffiti took place in Modesto in the early 1960s, during Lucas’s teenage years. He was unsuccessful in pitching the concept to financiers and distributors, but found favor at Universal Pictures after every other major film studio turned him down. Filming began in San Rafael, California, but the production crew was denied permission to shoot beyond a second day. As a result, production was moved to Petaluma. The film is the first movie to be produced by George Lucas’s Lucasfilm.
American Graffiti premiered on August 2, 1973, at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland, and was released on August 11, 1973, in the United States. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Produced on a $777,000 budget, it has become one of the most profitable films ever. Since its initial release, American Graffiti has earned an estimated return well over $200 million in box-office gross and home video sales, not including merchandising. In 1995, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. A sequel, More American Graffiti, was released in 1979.
Who Is Still Alive From American Graffiti?
The following talented individuals, are still alive from the movie American Graffiti, continue to captivate us with their presence and contributions.


Joe Spano
Vic

Mackenzie Phillips
Carol

Kay Lenz
Jane (as Kay Ann Kemper)

Candy Clark
Debbie

Kathleen Quinlan
Peg (as Kathy Quinlan)

Richard Dreyfuss
Curt

Harrison Ford
Bob Falfa

Debralee Scott
Falfa's Girl

Charles Martin Smith
Terry (as Charlie Martin Smith)

Paul Le Mat
John

Lynne Marie Stewart
Bobbie
Who Is Has Died From American Graffiti?
The following talented individuals who start in the movie American Graffiti, have sadly passed away.

Bo Hopkins
Joe

Cindy Williams
Laurie

Suzanne Somers
Blonde in T-Bird

Rick May
Boy In Car (uncredited)

Del Close
Man at Bar (Guy)

Manuel Padilla Jr.
Carlos

Wolfman Jack
Disc Jockey
