Leslie Dilley
Personal Info
Known for
Art
Gender
Male
Birthday
1941-01-11
Day of Death
2025-05-20 (84 years old)
Place of Birth
Rhondda, Glamorgan, Wales, UK
Leslie Dilley
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.
Acting
(2017)
(2016)
(2009)
(2000)
Pay It Forward
as The Governor
(1999)
The Alien Legacy
as Self
(1998)
Deep Impact
as Waiter
(1997)
The Peacemaker
as New York Priest
Crew
(2006)
Little Man
Production Design
(2005)
Son of the Mask
Production Design
(2003)
Cold Creek Manor
Production Design
(2001)
Black Knight
Production Design
(2000)
Men of Honor
Production Design
(2000)
Pay It Forward
Production Design
(1999)
Inspector Gadget
Production Design
(1998)
Deep Impact
Production Design
(1997)
The Peacemaker
Production Design
(1997)
The Fifth Element
Thanks
(1996)
Diabolique
Production Design
(1995)
Casper
Production Design
(1995)
How to Make an American Quilt
Production Design, Second Unit Director
(1994)
Monkey Trouble
Production Design
(1992)
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Production Design, Second Unit Director
(1992)
The Distinguished Gentleman
Production Design
(1991)
What About Bob?
Production Design
(1991)
Guilty by Suspicion
Production Design
(1990)
The Exorcist III
Production Design
(1989)
The Abyss
Production Design
(1988)
Stars & Bars
Production Design
(1986)
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold
Production Design
(1986)
Invaders from Mars
Production Design
(1985)
Legend
Supervising Art Director
(1983)
Eureka
Supervising Art Director
(1983)
Never Say Never Again
Supervising Art Director
(1981)
An American Werewolf in London
Art Direction
(1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Art Direction
(1980)
The Empire Strikes Back
Art Direction
(1979)
Alien
Art Direction
(1978)
Superman
Art Direction
(1977)
Star Wars
Art Direction
(1974)
The Four Musketeers
Art Direction
(1973)
The Three Musketeers
Art Direction
(1973)
Scorpio
Assistant Art Director
(1971)
The Devils
Assistant Art Director