Leslie Dilley

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.

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  Star Wars

  Art Direction

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  The Fifth Element

  Thanks

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  Alien

  Art Direction

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  The Empire Strikes Back

  Art Direction

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  Raiders of the Lost Ark

  Art Direction

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  An American Werewolf in London

  Art Direction

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  Little Man

  Production Design

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  Superman

  Art Direction

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  Deep Impact

  Waiter

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  The Abyss

  Production Design

• 2017The Galaxy Britain Built: The British Force Behind Star WarsHimself
• 2016Death, Be Not Proud: The Making of "The Exorcist III"Self
• 2009Beware the Moon: Remembering 'An American Werewolf in London'Self
• 2006Little ManProduction Design
• 2005Son of the MaskProduction Design
• 2003Cold Creek ManorAntique Dealer
• 2001Black KnightProduction Design
• 2000Pay It ForwardThe Governor
• 2000Men of HonorProduction Design
• 1999Inspector GadgetProduction Design
• 1999The Alien LegacySelf
• 1998Deep ImpactWaiter
• 1997The PeacemakerNew York Priest
• 1997The Fifth ElementThanks
• 1996DiaboliqueProduction Design
• 1995How to Make an American QuiltProduction Design
• 1995CasperProduction Design
• 1994Monkey TroubleProduction Design
• 1992The Distinguished GentlemanProduction Design
• 1992Honey, I Blew Up the KidProduction Design
• 1991What About Bob?Production Design
• 1991Guilty by SuspicionProduction Design
• 1990The Exorcist IIIProduction Design
• 1989The AbyssProduction Design
• 1988Stars & BarsProduction Design
• 1986Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of GoldProduction Design
• 1986Invaders from MarsProduction Design
• 1985LegendSupervising Art Director
• 1983Never Say Never AgainSupervising Art Director
• 1983EurekaSupervising Art Director
• 1981An American Werewolf in LondonArt Direction
• 1981Raiders of the Lost ArkArt Direction
• 1980The Empire Strikes BackArt Direction
• 1979AlienArt Direction
• 1978SupermanArt Direction
• 1977Star WarsArt Direction
• 1974The Four MusketeersArt Direction
• 1973The Three MusketeersArt Direction
• 1973ScorpioAssistant Art Director
• 1971The DevilsAssistant Art Director
• —New-GenProduction Design