Leigh Brackett, born on December 7, 1915, and passing away on March 18, 1978, was a science fiction and fantasy author of note who frequently contributed to various science fiction pulp magazines during the 1940s, in addition to being a Hollywood screenwriter. Ray Bradbury considered her a mentor and worked with her. For 31 years, until his passing in 1977, she was married to Edmond Hamilton, who was also a science fiction pulp writer. The character of Sheriff Brackett in the 1978 movie Halloween was named in her honor because she contributed to the screenplay for Rio Bravo.
She penned screenplays for films like The Long Goodbye, Hatari!, and Rio Bravo while working in Hollywood. Moreover, she authored the initial version of the script for Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. She passed away from cancer not long after finishing the draft.
George Lucas decided he was not fond of the direction of Brackett's draft after her death. He threw it away and wrote two new drafts, with Lawrence Kasdan completing the screenplay. The new drafts made no mention of or reference to Brackett's original draft. However, Lucas thought she ought to be acknowledged in the credits for her efforts. Lucas intentionally refrained from submitting his drafts to ensure that the Writers Guild of America (which decides who receives screenwriting credit for the film) would grant her the credit.