Leslie Dilley
Art
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.
Known for
Art36
movieLittle Man
2006
Production Design
movieSon of the Mask
2005
Production Design
movieCold Creek Manor
2003
Production Design
movieBlack Knight
2001
Production Design
moviePay It Forward
2000
Production Design
movieMen of Honor
2000
Production Design
movieInspector Gadget
1999
Production Design
movieDeep Impact
1998
Production Design
movieThe Peacemaker
1997
Production Design
movieDiabolique
1996
Production Design
movieHow to Make an American Quilt
1995
Production Design
movieCasper
1995
Production Design
movieMonkey Trouble
1994
Production Design
movieThe Distinguished Gentleman
1992
Production Design
movieHoney, I Blew Up the Kid
1992
Production Design
movieWhat About Bob?
1991
Production Design
movieGuilty by Suspicion
1991
Production Design
movieThe Exorcist III
1990
Production Design
movieThe Abyss
1989
Production Design
movieStars & Bars
1988
Production Design
movieAllan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold
1986
Production Design
movieInvaders from Mars
1986
Production Design
movieLegend
1985
Supervising Art Director
movieNever Say Never Again
1983
Supervising Art Director
movieEureka
1983
Supervising Art Director
movieAn American Werewolf in London
1981
Art Direction
movieRaiders of the Lost Ark
1981
Art Direction
movieThe Empire Strikes Back
1980
Art Direction
movieAlien
1979
Art Direction
movieSuperman
1978
Art Direction
movieStar Wars
1977
Art Direction
movieThe Four Musketeers
1974
Art Direction
movieThe Three Musketeers
1973
Art Direction
movieScorpio
1973
Assistant Art Director
movieThe Devils
1971
Assistant Art Director
tvNew-Gen
Production Design
Acting8
movieCold Creek Manor
2003
Antique Dealer
moviePay It Forward
2000
The Governor
movieDeep Impact
1998
Waiter
movieThe Peacemaker
1997
New York Priest
Directing2
movieHow to Make an American Quilt
1995
Second Unit Director
movieHoney, I Blew Up the Kid
1992
Second Unit Director