Welsh production designer and art director Les Dilley, who won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction for Star Wars (1977) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), has passed away aged 84 from complications of Alzheimer’s.
“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 family said in a statement. “His love for the motion picture business was evident to the very end. When he wasn’t on set, he enjoyed constructing things in his workshop at home, playing ice hockey, and a good cup of tea. In addition to his incredible work ethic, quirky British humour, and love of life, he was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.”
Dilley is best known for his work on the immortal Lucasfilm franchise starters “Star Wars” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” He received Oscars for best art direction for both films in 1978 and 1982, respectively. He also received Academy noms for his production design on “The Abyss,” “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Alien.”
His other notable credits include “Superman,” “An American Werewolf in London,” “Never Say Never Again,” “Legend,” “The Exorcist III,” “Casper,” “Deep Impact” and “Inspector Gadget.”
Born in 1941 in the Rhondda Valley of South Wales, Dilley entered the industry at 23 as a plaster worker on the 1963 Bond adventure “From Russia With Love.” He quickly rose through the art department to become a draughtsman and then assistant art director on films like 1972’s “Kelly’s Heroes” and Norman Jewison’s 1973 rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Dilley is survived by his wife of 38 years, Leslie Lykes Dilley, and his five children: Sophia Dilley, Leslie John Dilley II, Ivory Dilley, Emma Jane Dilley and Georgia Dilley.
Team Jedi News sends our condolences to Dilley’s wife and five children, other family and friends at this difficult time.
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