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Leslie Dilley

1941–2025 · 34 titles in the catalogue

Leslie Dilley (January 11, 1941 — May 20, 2025) was a Welsh art director and production designer. During his career from the 1970s to 2000s, he won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction twice for Star Wars (1977) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Dilley received additional Best Art Direction nominations for Alien (1979), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and The Abyss (1989). Apart from art direction, Dilley was a production designer for The Exorcist III (1990), Casper (1995), and Son of the Mask (2005).

In 1941, Dilley was born in Rhondda Valley, South Wales. Growing up, Dilley and his family moved to London and lived in Wembley Park. For his post-secondary education, Dilley studied architecture at Willesden Technical College. While working as an apprentice plasterer during college, Dilley was encouraged by a classmate to apply at Pinewood Studios. After Pinewood told him there were no open positions available, Dilley completed a five year plastering apprenticeship at the Associated British Picture Corporation.

Their work

34
  1. Star Wars1977Art Direction
  2. The Empire Strikes Back1980Art Direction
  3. Alien1979Art Direction
  4. Raiders of the Lost Ark1981Art Direction
  5. The Fifth Element1997Thanks
  6. Casper1995Production Design
  7. Superman1978Art Direction
  8. The Abyss1989Production Design
  9. Deep Impact1998as Waiter · Production Design
  10. An American Werewolf in London1981Art Direction
  11. Men of Honor2000Production Design
  12. Pay It Forward2000as The Governor · Production Design
  13. Son of the Mask2005Production Design
  14. Little Man2006Production Design
  15. Never Say Never Again1983Supervising Art Director
  16. Legend1985Supervising Art Director
  17. Inspector Gadget1999Production Design
  18. Honey, I Blew Up the Kid1992Production Design · Second Unit Director
  19. Black Knight2001Production Design
  20. The Peacemaker1997as New York Priest · Production Design
  21. What About Bob?1991Production Design
  22. The Exorcist III1990Production Design
  23. Cold Creek Manor2003as Antique Dealer · Production Design
  24. The Devils1971Assistant Art Director
  25. The Three Musketeers1973Art Direction
  26. The Distinguished Gentleman1992Production Design
  27. Diabolique1996Production Design
  28. Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold1986Production Design
  29. Invaders from Mars1986Production Design
  30. The Four Musketeers1974Art Direction
  31. Monkey Trouble1994Production Design
  32. How to Make an American Quilt1995Production Design · Second Unit Director
  33. Guilty by Suspicion1991Production Design
  34. Scorpio1973Assistant Art Director