Les Dilley, Star Wars Art Director, dies at 84
Les Dilley, renowned art director and production designer for Star Wars, passed away at the age of 84, leaving a legacy after working on more than 100 film and television projects.
Les Dilley, the Oscar-winning art director and production designer, has died at the age of 84 years old. He worked on 100 film and TV projects in his 60-year career. His work on the Star Wars franchise led him to earn an Academy Award.
The art director was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), British Academy Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the Art Directors Guild, Directors Guild of America, and the Screen Actors Guild.
Dilley’s life and career
Born in Wales, in 1941, Dilley began his career with plastering and construction apprenticeship when he was 15. He also studied architecture and building construction. When he was 23, he worked on his first film, James Bond's From Russia With Love as a draughtsman. Then, he worked as an assistant on films like Kelly’s Heroes and Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 1973, Dilley worked with Richard Lester on The Three Musketeers. Then, he became part of the British team working on Star Wars. Alongside John Barry, Norman Reynolds, and Roger Christian, they helped to build the iconic aspect of the franchise. Dilley kept continuing working with George Lucas on the franchise, and in 1977 he won an Oscar for his job on Episode IV – A New Hope.
Les Dilley in the Art Directors Guild 20th Annual Excellence In Production Award with Harrison Ellenshaw. Photo: AFP News
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Dilley passed away on May 20th
Dilley died on May 20th, according to a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. They made this announcement today saying:
"Les’s 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."
Other movies that he was involved in were The Exorcist III, Guilty by Suspicion, Casper, The Peacemaker, Inspector Gadget, Deep Impact, and Men of Honor. In the 1990s, Dilley expanded his role to work as a second unit director on projects like Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, Diabolique, Pay It Forward, and Cold Creek Manor.
