Leslie Dilley: Star Wars Obituary
- Leslie Dilley, the art director who won an Oscar for his work on the original 1977 "Star Wars" film and brought the beloved droid R2-D2 to life, has...
- dilley's creation, R2-D2, appeared in the first three "Star Wars" movies, as well as the prequel and sequel trilogies.
- Dilley, along with director George Lucas and production designer John Barry, ultimately decided on a design that allowed a small actor to step inside and operate the robot.
Leslie Dilley, the brilliant art director behind the original “Star Wars” and the iconic droid R2-D2, has died at 84. Dilley’s work, a cornerstone of cinematic design, also included contributions to “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “Alien,” each project showcasing his innovative approach to production design. He brought to the screen a unique design aesthetic that continues to influence major motion pictures even today. In a pre-CGI era, Dilley overcame challenges to bring memorable characters to life. His second Oscar came from work with Steven Spielberg in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Dilley’s legacy is that of an innovator whose contributions to the industry are indelible. For industry news and insights into legendary figures like Leslie Dilley, turn to News Directory 3 for the latest updates. Discover what the future holds for the world of film design.
Leslie Dilley, Oscar-Winning ‘Star Wars’ Art Director, Dies at 84
Updated May 31, 2025
Leslie Dilley, the art director who won an Oscar for his work on the original 1977 “Star Wars” film and brought the beloved droid R2-D2 to life, has died at 84. He passed away after a battle with AlzheimerS disease.
dilley’s creation, R2-D2, appeared in the first three “Star Wars” movies, as well as the prequel and sequel trilogies. He described the challenge of creating the droid in the pre-CGI era as a “head-scratching” endeavor.
Dilley, along with director George Lucas and production designer John Barry, ultimately decided on a design that allowed a small actor to step inside and operate the robot. Kenny Baker was eventually cast in the role.
Dilley also contributed to Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder and C-3PO, drawing inspiration for the latter from the 1927 film ”metropolis.”
After “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), Dilley won his second Oscar for “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), directed by Steven Spielberg. He recalled physically pushing the boulder in the iconic scene where Indiana Jones flees a cave temple.
Dilley also worked on Ridley scott’s “Alien” (1979), creating sets based on H.R. Giger’s artwork. He remembered the actors’ genuine reactions during the chest-burster scene,as they were caught off guard by the effect.
As a production designer, Dilley worked on films such as “The Abyss” (1989) and “The Exorcist III” (1990), creating complex sets and illusions.
Born in Pontygwaith, Wales, in 1941, Dilley studied architecture and building construction before working on films such as “From Russia with Love” (1963) and “Kelly’s Heroes” (1970). He moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and later worked on “Honey, I blew Up the Kid” (1992) and “Little Man” (2006).
Dilley received further Oscar nominations for “Alien,” “star Wars: Episode V – the Empire Strikes Back,” and “The Abyss.” He was also awarded Bafta Cymru’s outstanding contribution to film and television award in 2020.
What’s next
Dilley’s legacy as a visionary art director and designer will continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences for generations to come. His contributions to iconic films have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.