Veteran art director Les Dilley, responsible for the visual aesthetics in iconic franchises like 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones', passes away at the age of 84.
Meet Leslie 'Les' Dilley: A Legendary Art Director & Production Designer
This iconic figure in the film industry, Leslie Dilley, was born on the eleventh of July, 1941, in Rhondda, Wales. His inspirational journey in the world of cinema started at a tender age of fifteen, with an apprenticeship in construction and plastering at Associated British Picture Corporation. Fueled by a passion for architecture and building construction, he furthered his studies at Willesden Technical College.
By the age of twenty-three, the world of films had no boundaries for Les. He was a diligent plaster worker on the 1963 classic, From Russia With Love, and later, an assistant art director on Jesus Christ Superstar and Kelly's Heroes. The subsequent years saw him rise through the ranks, becoming an art director for the 1973 spectacle, Three Musketeers, and its sequel.
His Shot at Stardom
Les's big break came in 1977 when he joined the UK team for Star Wars: A New Hope, helping in the physical build of R2-D2, the sandcrawler, and Luke's landspeeder. His role expanded for the sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, orchestrating numerous art departments. His contribution didn't stop there; he worked on other seminal films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Alien, Superman, An American Werewolf in London, The Abyss, Exorcist III, Invaders From Mars, Casper, Black Knight, and Deep Impact.
Les's collaborations earned him Oscar nominations for Alien, The Abyss, and Empire Strikes Back, but it was his work on Star Wars: A New Hope and Raiders of the Lost Ark that brought him Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, both shared with fellow art director Norman Reynolds. However, details about these coveted Oscars remain scarce.
Even after retiring following the end of his stint on Teacup Travels in 2017, Les was recognized in 2020 by BAFTA's Welsh branch, receiving an Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television Award. His contemporaries like George Lucas, Ridley Scott had nothing but praises for the still-dedicated artisian.
Legacy Lives On
Les Dilley's life is preserved in the many iconic films he helped bring to life for more than six decades and his family home, a testament to his devotion to the motion picture business. His love for his craft, humor, and zest for life will be greatly missed by all.
References:1. Empire2. IMDB3. Mubi
- In the realm of movie-making, Leslie Dilley's influence continues to be felt in the future of entertainment, as his artistry on iconic films like Star Wars: A New Hope, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Alien are continually discussed on popular technology-focused platforms such as Gizmodo and io9 within the Movies and TV section.
- As Leslie Dilley's legacy livens up the world of cinema, sites like IMDb continue to document his impressive body of work, celebrating his Oscar-winning designs for movies like Star Wars: A New Hope and Raiders of the Lost Ark, which can be found under the Movies-and-TV category.
- In recognition of Leslie Dilley's invaluable contributions to the film industry, entertainment enthusiasts still pay tribute to him today on digital platforms, highlighting his groundbreaking designs and humorous spirit that made him a beloved figure among numerous filmmakers, including trailblazers George Lucas and Ridley Scott.
