Veteran art director Les Dilley, famed for his work on iconic films such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, passes away at 84.
Remembering Les Dilley: An Unforgettable Artisan in Cinema
Bid farewell to Les Dilley, the two-time Oscar-winning art director and production designer, who recently passed away on May 20 at the age of 84 due to Alzheimer's complications. Born in Rhondda, Wales on July 11, 1941, Dilley plunged into the world of films with a construction and plastering apprenticeship at the Associated British Picture Corporation at the tender age of 15.
Dilley's career took off when he worked as a plaster worker in the 1963 classic, From Russia With Love. He rose through the ranks, becoming an assistant art director in Jesus Christ Superstar and Kelly's Heroes. Dilley then led the art department as an art director in the 1973 film, The Three Musketeers and its sequel. His expertise soon caught the attention of the UK team for Star Wars: A New Hope, where he created physical builds for R2-D2, the sandcrawler, and Luke's landspeeder.
Dilley continued managing art for its sequel, Empire Strikes Back, as well as films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Alien, and Superman. His production designer credits include The Abyss, Exorcist III, Invaders From Mars, Casper, Black Knight, and Deep Impact. Although not specifically mentioned in available search results, Dilley was recognized as a two-time Oscar winner for his exceptional work in cinematic art direction.
In 2020, the British Academy Cymru Awards honored him with an Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema award. Lucasfilm's George Lucas, Ridley Scott, and many others who worked with him throughout the years paid tribute to Dilley, with Lucas describing him as his "main contact with the art department, and an all-around great guy."
Dilley left us surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife Leslie and five children. His legacy will live on through the many iconic films he breathed life into for over six decades, and in his family home, a personal tribute to his work. In addition to his incredible work ethic, Dilley was remembered as a dedicated, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
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Visit Io9 and Gizmodo to explore the future of technology and entertainment, as Les Dilley's contributions to movies and television will continue to shape the industry. Les Dilley, a two-time Oscar winner for cinematic art direction, left an indelible mark on movies-and-tv classics like Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Alien. His legacy transcends cinema, also impacting his family and a wide community of friends.
