George Lucas Tops 2018’s List of Wealthiest Celebrities

George Lucas is the wealthiest celebrity in America. This, according to a new list published that declares the Star Wars creator, who hasn’t made a movie in more than a decade, is still the king of Hollywood, at least by one metric. Lucas ranks just ahead of his old pal Steven Spielberg on the list, as well as Oprah Winfrey, who is the wealthiest Woman in America, according to this list.

According to the report, George Lucas has a net worth of $5.4 billion in 2018, putting him far ahead of the rest of the pack. Much of this is thanks to his sale of Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 for a staggering $4.1 billion. Star Wars is arguably the biggest and most important franchise in the history of cinema and as the man who created it, he’s certainly entitled to more than a little chunk of the wealth that a galaxy far, far away has generated. The 74-year-old writer, director, and producer may not be active in the business these days, but who could blame him at this point?

Behind George Lucas on Forbes’ list of America’s wealthiest celebrities is Lucas’ friend and another shaper of countless childhoods, Steven Spielberg. The director of films such as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, and this year’s Ready Player One sits at second on the list with a net worth of $3.7 billion.

After the two filmmakers, coming in at the number 3 spot is media mogul Oprah, who is worth $2.8 billion. Then, at number 4, sits his airness, Michael Jordan with an increased net worth of $1.7 billion thanks to the countless shoes bearing his likeness, and his 90% ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets basketball team.