Renowned Art Director Les Dilley, Known for 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones,' Passes Away at 84
Meet Les Dilley: A Film Legend Mirrored in Six Decades of Visual Mastery
Dive into the captivating world of Leslie Dilley, a celebrated art director and production designer, whose cinematic footprints spanned an astounding six decades. This British powerhouse breathed life into numerous iconic films, bestowing him with two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Direction.
A Humble Beginning as a Plaster ApprenticeLes Dilley was born on July 11, 1941, in Rhondda, Wales. At the tender age of 15, he embarked on his film journey as a construction and plastering apprentice at the Associated British Picture Corporation. His breakthrough came at 23, working as a plaster worker on the James Bond classic, From Russia With Love, followed by an assistant art director role on Jesus Christ Superstar and Kelly's Heroes.
A Rise to StardomWith an art director credit for 1973's Three Musketeers and its sequel, Dilley found himself among the initial crew of the UK team for Star Wars: A New Hope. His contributions, including designing R2-D2, the sandcrawler, and Luke's landspeeder, played a pivotal role in shaping the imaginative Star Wars universe. Dilley carried this momentum into the sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, and an array of other blockbusters like Alien, Superman, and An American Werewolf in London.
Achievements that Mirror the Galaxy Far, Far AwayLes Dilley's credits are nothing short of galactic in scope. His work on A New Hope and Raiders of the Lost Ark earned him two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, shared with fellow art director Norman Reynolds. Both legends passed in 2023 and 2020, respectively. His Oscar-nominated projects include Empire, Alien, and The Abyss.
A Legacy of IconsAfter his last production design project for the British kids' show Teacup Travels ended in 2017, Dilley retired. His handiwork lives on, immortalized in the many iconic films he breathed life into. From Star Wars to Alien, his legacy is enshrined in cinematic history. Dilley passed away on May 20 due to Alzheimer's complications, leaving behind a love for the motion picture business that was evident till the end. He is survived by his wife Leslie and five children, who described him as a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
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Les Dilley's impact on the film industry was not confined to the past; his contributions to technology-driven movies continue to echo in the future. His work on iconic films like Star Wars, Alien, and Superman can still be found on platforms like Gizmodo and io9 under the categories 'Movies' and 'Movies-and-TV'. As we look towards the future of entertainment, Dilley's legacy stands as a beacon for the next generation of visual storytellers.
