Art Director for 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' Series, Les Dilley, Passes Away at 84 Years Old.
Venerable film production designer and art director Leslie Dilley, renowned for his contributions to several iconic productions, passed away on May 20 at the age of 84 due to complications from Alzheimer's.
Born on July 11, 1941, in Rhondda, Wales, Dilley embarked on his film career at a young age, with a plastering and construction apprenticeship at the Associated British Picture Corporation at the impressionable age of 15. Following this, he pursued architectural and building construction studies at Willesden Technical College.
At age 23, Dilley was a plaster worker on the 1963 film "From Russia With Love," later serving as an assistant art director for "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Kelly's Heroes." He garnered recognition as an art director for the 1973 film "The Three Musketeers" and its sequel. In 1977, he joined the UK team for "Star Wars: A New Hope," where he contributed significantly to the creation of R2-D2, the sandcrawler, and Luke's landspeeder.
Dilley continued to direct art for the film's sequel, "The Empire Strikes Back," as well as "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Alien," "Superman," and "An American Werewolf in London." His work earned him two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, each shared with fellow art director Norman Reynolds, who passed away in 2023.
After his work on the British kids' show "Teacup Travels" concluded in 2017, Dilley retired from active filmmaking. BAFTA's Welsh branch-the British Academy Cymru Awards-honored him with an Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television Award in 2020.
Dilley is survived by his wife Leslie and five children. In a statement, the family noted, "His love for the motion picture business was evident to the very end. In addition to his incredible work ethic, quirky British humor, and love of life, he was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many."
Sources:1. IMDB2. Mubi3. The Hollywood Reporter4. BAFTA Cymru Awards
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Leslie Dilley's exceptional work in the film industry extended to various genres, with notable contributions to 'Star Wars: A New Hope,' 'Alien,' 'Superman,' and 'An American Werewolf in London,' earning him two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction. Gizmodo, a popular publication for technology and entertainment, would undoubtedly have stories about Dilley's impact on the future of technology in movies and TV. io9, another reputable source for movies, science, and futurism, might also cover Dilley's work in the context of the evolving intersection of technology and entertainment. Furthermore, in discussions about the future of movies-and-tv, Dilley's innovative contributions would remain relevant, making him a topic of interest for enthusiasts on platforms like Mubi and The Hollywood Reporter.
