Leslie Dilley

Known for ArtBorn 1941-01-11Died 2025-05-20Rhondda, Glamorgan, Wales, UK

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.Read more

Movies & web series

The Galaxy Britain Built: The British Force Behind Star Wars

The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars

Alien

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Fifth Element

Men of Honor

Pay It Forward

The Abyss

An American Werewolf in London

The Devils

Superman

The Alien Legacy

What About Bob?

Beware the Moon: Remembering 'An American Werewolf in London'

The Three Musketeers

Guilty by Suspicion

How to Make an American Quilt

Casper

Deep Impact

The Four Musketeers

The Exorcist III

Death, Be Not Proud: The Making of "The Exorcist III"

Legend

The Peacemaker

Little Man

The Distinguished Gentleman

Scorpio

Never Say Never Again

Monkey Trouble

Black Knight

Diabolique

Invaders from Mars

Cold Creek Manor

Honey, I Blew Up the Kid

Eureka

Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold

Inspector Gadget

Stars & Bars

Son of the Mask

New-Gen