His dream of becoming a professional racecar driver came to an end just days before his high school graduation when Lucas was involved in a near-fatal car accident.

Clipped from behind, Lucas' harness snapped and he was thrown from the car.

With the realization that he wouldn't be able to follow his racecar dream, Lucas enrolled in Modesto Junior College, where he earned an Arts degree.

Lucas subsequently transferred to the prestigious University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television.

"When I first got to college, I was very interested in the social sciences, anthropology, sociology, psychology, those kinds of things. And I was still interested in art and photography. I didn't know that I could actually put them all together in one occupation and love it."
George Lucas