Les Dilley, the Oscar-winning production design for “Star Wars: A New Hope” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” has died of complications associated with Alzheimer’s. He was 84.
“With Sadness, I’m Writing to Share the News That Les Dilley has passed away. An Oscar Winner for His Work On ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘Star Wars’, Les Contributed His Artistic Talents to a Great Number of Beloved and Classic Movies and Classic Films Strikes Back ‘,’ Superman ‘, and’ an American Werewolf in London ‘, “Matt Andrée Wiltens, head of Global Corporate Communications in Gersh, said in a statement shared with Thewrap.
“Les Heritage lives on in the many iconic films he helped to live
For over six decades and in his family home he personally built as a tribute to his work, “Dilley’s family said in a statement.” His love for the film industry was clear to the end. When he was not on his way, he liked to build things in his workshop at home, play ice hockey and a good cup of tea. In addition to his incredible work ethics, snapping British humor and love for life, he was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend for many. He will be much missed. “
Dilley won two Oscars for best art direction for his work with “Star Wars” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” He was also nominated for “Alien”, “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and “The Abyss.”
In an interview from 2020 with buzz magazineDilley admitted “The Abyss” was the most challenging project for the three.
“It was over a year’s work, very long days with a few nights until 3 o’clock, and on the weekends the art department did not end, so I constantly checked on the construction that was done,” he explained. “I had worked with water on ‘Legend’, ‘Say Never Again’ and ‘Lucky Lady’, so I had some experience of water, but nothing close to the scale of ‘The Abyss’. Besides, my wife Leslie and I had the first of our four children during that movie, so it made that time even more memorable.”
Dilley was also the person responsible for protecting beloved “Star Wars” Droid R2-D2 at Set- and he was the person who convinced Kenny Baker to take the role.
“I actually had to go home to Kenny’s home and convince him to take on the role! It is hard to imagine that at that time he was watching between” Star Wars “and showed up with a partner at” Opportunity Knocks, “Dilley also told Buzz. “Thankfully” Star Wars “won.”
Dilley’s work in art production included construction sets for the films he was a part of. He was also responsible for Sandcrawler and Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder, as did the person who designed the outside of Mos Eisley Cantina.
Les Dilley was born in 1941 in southern Wales. He began his film career at the age of 15 with Associated British Picture Corporation. He moved to Hollywood in 1985.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Leslie Lykes Dilley and their four children:
Sophia Dilley (also in the film industry, EVP, Concord Originals) and son -in -law Daniel Kauffman, Leslie John Dilley II and Swarves Julia Tourianski Dilley, Ivory Dilley and Emmajane Dilley and four grandchildren: Arsion, Nausica, Cal and Leslie John II. He is also survived by his daughter Georgia Dilley from her first marriage to Amanda Dilley and a large large family in England and Wales.
