If you’ve seen any of the recent Star Wars series, you’re familiar with Mt. Lebanon native Dave Filoni’s work. Filoni graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1992. In 2005, George Lucas hired him to work in his animation studio, where he helped create the animated series The Clone Wars, for which he won an Emmy Award in 2014. He has also worked on the animated series Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars Resistance. His credits also include The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, The Bad Batch, Tales of the Jedi and Ahsoka.
This year Filoni was the recipient of the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films’ George Pal Memorial Award, joining a club that includes Gene Roddenberry, John Carpenter, Sam Raimi and Martin Scorsese, among others. He is executive vice president and chief creative officer with Lucasfilm.
Q. What’s your reaction to winning the George Pal Memorial Award? I felt it was a great honor to be considered in the company of the many people who have been presented with this award. When I was asked who I would like the presenter to be, I went with another Lebo alum, Ming-Na Wen, whom I met while filming The Mandalorian. We talk about Mt. Lebanon and Pittsburgh all the time.
Q. Why do you think audiences continue to adore Star Wars stories? I think Star Wars resonates with people because it may be a galaxy far, far away, but it always feels like it is also right around the corner. It’s a very relatable story with characters that feel very familiar to us all.
Q. How did your Mt. Lebanon roots prepare you for the success you’ve achieved in your career? I was very fortunate to grow up at a time when some of the areas in my neighborhood weren’t as developed as they are now. There were many patches of woods and creeks that we could all explore and feel like we were on some kind of adventure. I always felt like there were possibilities around me, and being creative was supported by my parents and community.
Q. Any favorite memories of growing up in Mt. Lebanon? I’m very glad that my parents chose a place like Mt. Lebanon for my brother and I to grow up. We had access to everything being only a short ride on the “T” to downtown, or out to South Hills Village. One thing that really stood out back then was how we had an ice rink really before anyone else. I learned how to skate and I still play hockey to this day.