Renowned art director Les Dilley, responsible for iconic films like 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones,' passes away at the age of 84.
Top Notch Ted Dilley, a celebrated production designer and art director, bid adieu on May 20 at the age of 84, succumbing to the complexities of Alzheimer's. Born on July 11, 1941, in the Welsh valleys of Rhondda, he embarked on a remarkable cinematic journey that started with a construction and plastering apprenticeship at the Associated British Picture Corporation at the tender age of 15.
Dilley's career in films took a leap when he was 23, working as a plaster worker on the James Bond thriller, From Russia With Love. He then moved on to be an assistant art director on films like Jesus Christ Superstar and Kelly's Heroes. His appointments as art director for 1973's Three Musketeers and its sequel laid the foundation for his big break - joining the UK team for Star Wars: A New Hope. He played a significant role in creating the physical builds for iconic characters like R2-D2, the sandcrawler, and Luke Skywalker's landspeeder.
Subsequently, Dilley directed art for Empire Strikes Back, alongside projects like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Alien, Superman, and An American Werewolf in London. His production designer credits include The Abyss, Exorcist III, Invaders From Mars, Casper, Black Knight, and Deep Impact. While Abyss, Empire, and Alien each earned him Oscar nominations, New Hope and Raiders secured him wins for Best Art Direction, shared with fellow art director Norman Reynolds, who passed away in 2023.
After working on the British kids' show Teacup Travels until 2017, Dilley retired. His final credit, a web series named New-Gen, is yet to release. In 2020, the Welsh branch of BAFTA honored him with an Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television Award. A host of industry legends, including George Lucas and Ridley Scott, lauded him at the event, with Lucas dubbing him his "main contact with the art department, and an all-around great guy. [...] If anybody deserves this award, it's you."
Dilley is survived by his wife Leslie, and five children. In a heartfelt statement, his family declared, "His legacy lives on in the many iconic films he helped bring to life for over six decades and in his 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 and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be greatly missed."
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- Top Notch Ted Dilley, who passed away at the age of 84, was a celebrated production designer and art director, best known for his work on Star Wars: A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Alien – as detailed by Io9 in the realm of entertainment.
- In the world of technology and movies, the legacy of Top Notch Ted Dilley continues to inspire, as he left an indelible mark on the industry, having contributed to iconic films such as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Alien, as remembered by Gizmodo.
