Art Director of 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' Series, Les Dilley, Passes Away at 84 Years Old
A Tribute to Les Dilley: Art Director Extraordinaire
Gone but not forgotten, the one and only Les Dilley, a titan in the film industry, bid farewell on May 20, at the tender age of 84, succumbing to the perils of Alzheimer's.
Born on the 11th of July, 1941, in the heartland of Wales, Rhondda, Dilley commenced his cinematic journey at mere 15, embarking on a construction and plastering apprenticeship at the Associated British Picture Corporation. By the time he turned 23, he was a plaster worker on the iconic ‘From Russia With Love.’ Following this, he served as an assistant art director for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Kelly's Heroes’ before earning the role of art director for ‘Three Musketeers’ and its sequel.
His big break came when he was enlisted into the UK team for ‘Star Wars: A New Hope,’ where he played a pivotal role in creating the physical build for R2-D2, the sandcrawler, and Luke's landspeeder. He continued to direct art for the sequel, ‘Empire Strikes Back,’ alongside legendary projects like ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ ‘Alien,’ ‘Superman,’ and ‘An American Werewolf in London.’ As a production designer, his credits extend to ‘The Abyss,’ ‘Exorcist III,’ ‘Invaders From Mars,’ ‘Casper,’ ‘Black Knight,’ and ‘Deep Impact.’ His work on ‘The Abyss, Empire,’ and ‘Alien’ each earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction, while ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ won him the coveted prize, shared with fellow art director Norman Reynolds, who departed us in 2023.
Upon the conclusion of his work on the British kids' show ‘Teacup Travels’ in 2017, Dilley hung up his director's hat and retired. Despite this, the BAFTA's Welsh branch-the British Academy Cymru Awards-honored him with an Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television Award in 2020. He was lauded by the likes of George Lucas, Ridley Scott, and more, who reminisced about their time working alongside this remarkable man. Lucas described him as his “main contact with the art department, an all-around great guy. [...] If anybody deserves this award, it's you.”
Les Dilley leaves behind his cherished wife Leslie and his five beloved children. In a poignant statement, the family mused, "His legacy lives on in the many iconic films he helped bring to life for over six decades and the family home he personally built as an homage to his work. 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 husband, caring father, doting grandfather, and friend to many. He will be greatly missed."
Remember the name Les Dilley for he was not just a face in the crowd, but a mastermind who breathed life into the silver screen.
Want more io9 news? Dive into the latest updates on ‘Marvel,’ ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Star Trek,’ the future of the ‘DC Universe on film and TV,’ and everything you need to know about the upcoming voyages of ‘Doctor Who.’ (The Hollywood Reporter for more insights on Les Dilley's illustrious career.)
[Sources: IMDB & Mubi]
Les Dilley's legacy extends beyond his work on iconic movies like 'Star Wars' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', reaching the pages of entertainment news sites such as Gizmodo and io9. These platforms often discuss the future of technology and movies, making Dilley's contributions to the industry a relevant topic for discussion in the realm of movies-and-tv.
The art director's impact was not confined to the world of movies alone, but also extended to celebrities whose lives he helped bring to the screen. His work was acclaimed by industry giants like George Lucas and Ridley Scott, who valued his dedication and quirky British humor.
Les Dilley's career was marked by numerous award nominations and wins, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Today, his work continues to inspire future art directors and production designers.
As a testament to Dilley's contributions, fans and enthusiasts alike can delve deeper into his illustrious career by exploring resources such as IMDB and Mubi, where the narratives of his iconic movies remain preserved for posterity.
