George Lucas, Joan Didion to Receive White House Honors

The White House announced Wednesday that President Barack Obama will present this year’s National Medals of Arts and Humanities to a glittering constellation of cultural and entertainment industry figures, including Joan Didion, George Lucas, Elaine May and Herb Alpert.

The list of those to be honored at the July 10 East Room ceremonies includes an unusually diverse roster of honorees with Arts Medals going to Lucas, May, Alpert, beloved African American writer Ernest Gaines, playwright Tony Kushner, philanthropist Lin Arison, dancer/choreographer Joan Myers Brown, opera diva Renée Fleming, painter Ellsworth Kelly, landscape architect Laurie Olin, composer Allen Toussaint and the Washington Performing Arts Society.

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Recipients of the Humanities Medal include, Didion, Robert Silvers -- founder and editor of the New York Review of Books -- historian Edward L. Ayers, economist William G. Bowen, historians Jill Ker Conway and Natalie Zemon Davis, sports writer Frank Deford, sociologist Robert Putnam¸ novelist Marilynne Robinson¸ poet Kay Ryan, performance artist Anna Deavere Smith and visual artist Camilo José Vergara.

Didion was singled out “for her mastery of style in writing. Exploring the culture around us and exposing the depths of sorrow, Ms. Didion has produced works of startling honesty and fierce intellect, rendered personal stories universal, and illuminated the seemingly peripheral details that are central to our lives.”

Lucas was cited “for is contributions to American cinema. By combining the art of storytelling with boundless imagination and cutting-edge techniques, Lucas has transported us to new worlds and created some of the most beloved and iconic films of all time.”

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May’s honor comes for her “contributions to American comedy. With groundbreaking wit and a keen understanding of how humor can illuminate our lives, Ms. May has evoked untold joy, challenged expectations, and elevated spirits across our nation.”

Alpert, meanwhile, is being honored for his contributions to music and the fine arts. "The musician behind the Tijuana Brass phenomenon and co-founder of A&M Records, which launched several storied careers, Mr. Alpert is also a philanthropist who shares the power of arts education with young people across our country."

President Obama will amplify on the citations in his personal remarks during the ceremony Wednesday.

George Lucas' Wedding Party: Hollywood Heads to Chicago

George Lucas and new bride Mellody Hobson, who officially tied the knot on June 22 at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, Calif., brought Hollywood to the Windy City on Friday to celebrate their nuptials.

Hollywood guests are expected to descend upon Hobson’s hometown of Chicago for the festivities, which will find the city’s lakeside Promontory Point closed to the public on Saturday. Asked if he's going to the wedding, producer Sid Ganis, former senior VP of Lucasfilm, tells THR, "'THE wedding?' Think of what you just said -- there are about four billion weddings in June, and you're asking if I'm going to 'THE wedding.' Yes! We worked together for seven years, and we're kind of still working together."

"He's a good old guy," Ganis says. "I'm happy that he's getting married, this kind of wandering guy, who, you know, has been in and out of relationships ever since he split with his wife Marcia." Mr. Lucas divorced Marcia Lucas, an Oscar-winning editor of Star Wars, in 1983. "And here he is, happy. I'm amazed at how great they are together and how cool she is. I have never seen him so happy. I know he's got a lot of money now, but even beyond that, he's a happy person." Ganis says he hasn't prepared his toast yet. "No. Please! No pressure."

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According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, the reception is being overseen by New York party planner Van Wyck & Van Wyck, who has previously organized soirees for the likes of Sean Combs, Alicia Keys, Hillary Clinton and Barack and Michelle Obama. Guests staying at the Chicago Peninsula Hotel found a gift bag awaiting them filled with some of the couple's "favorite local flavors" -- chocolate cookies from Carol's Cookies, popcorn from Garrett Popcorn, Marshall Field's Original Frango Mints — and Skywalker Ranch hats, T-shirts and a tote.

The Tribune report also criticizes the “circus” surrounding the event, pointing to the Promontory Point tunnel’s fresh paint job (a favor for Hobson?) and the park's field-house bathrooms being closed to the public, which runs afoul of established park district policy.

At the center of Promontory Point, a huge tent has already been erected along with a stage, which is set for a two-hour performance by Prince (who was recently invited to join the film Academy) and his 22-piece band on Saturday evening.

Last weekend, Bill Moyers officiated a ceremony for the new Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, while Ron Howard, Oprah Winfrey, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg looked on. The couple announced their engagement in January.

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George Lucas Weds Mellody Hobson

George Lucas and Mellody Hobson

George Lucas is a newlywed.

The Star Wars mastermind wed his longtime girlfriend, Mellody Hobson, at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County on Saturday afternoon. Former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley, a longtime friend of Hobson's, gave away the bride. Lucas' son Jett served as best man, while Lucas' daughters Amanda and Katie served as bridesmaids, according to a spokesperson for the director.

Ron Howard, who was among the close family and friends who attended, tweeted Sunday night: "George Lucas Melody [sic] Hobson wedding was joy to behold Bill Moyers service was beautiful, nothing short of profound. Congrats Mr&Mrs Lucas."

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Moyers, the longtime PBS journalist, officiated; Van Morrison and Janelle Monae both performed at the reception; director Steven Spielberg invoked the Force in the groom's toast; and director Francis Ford Coppola read a poem by Maya Angelou. DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg also attended.

Lucas became engaged to Hobson, the chair of DreamWorks Animation and head of the Chicago-based investment management firm Ariel Investments and chairman of Ariel Mutual Funds, in January. Hobson is also a director of The Estee Lauder Companies, Groupon and Starbucks Corp. She serves as a regular contributor to CBS, offering commentary on finance.

In late 2012, Lucas made headlines for selling Lucasfilm to Disney for $4.05 billion.

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This is the first marriage for Hobson, 43, and the second for Lucas, 68.