Biography
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.
Filmography
Cast Credits
The Galaxy Britain Built: The British Force Behind Star Wars
Character: Himself
MOVIE • 2017
Death, Be Not Proud: The Making of "The Exorcist III"
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2016
Beware the Moon: Remembering 'An American Werewolf in London'
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2009
Pay It Forward
Character: The Governor
MOVIE • 2000
The Alien Legacy
Character: Self
MOVIE • 1999
Deep Impact
Character: Waiter
MOVIE • 1998
The Peacemaker
Character: New York Priest
MOVIE • 1997
Crew
Crew Credits
Little Man
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 2006
Son of the Mask
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 2005
Cold Creek Manor
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 2003
Black Knight
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 2001
Pay It Forward
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 2000
Men of Honor
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 2000
Inspector Gadget
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1999
Deep Impact
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1998
The Peacemaker
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1997
The Fifth Element
Role: Thanks
MOVIE • 1997
Diabolique
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1996
How to Make an American Quilt
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1995
How to Make an American Quilt
Role: Second Unit Director
MOVIE • 1995
Casper
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1995
Monkey Trouble
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1994
The Distinguished Gentleman
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1992
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1992
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Role: Second Unit Director
MOVIE • 1992
What About Bob?
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1991
Guilty by Suspicion
Role: Production Design
MOVIE • 1991