Leigh Brackett

Leigh Brackett (1915-1978) was a Hollywood writer and a noted science fiction and fantasy author who was a regular contributor to various sci-fi pulps in the 1940's. She was also a mentor and collaborator of Ray Bradbury. She was married to fellow SF pulp writer Edmond Hamilton for 31 years (until his death in 1977).

In Hollywood, she wrote such films as The Long Goodbye, Hatari! and Rio Bravo. She also wrote the first draft of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Shortly after she completed the draft, she died after a battle with cancer.

Trivia

 * After her death, George Lucas reworked her draft and then hired Lawrence Kasdan to finish the script. However, Lucas still credited her on the final film even though, normally in Hollywood, first draft writers don't usually get a credit on the final product.