Norman Reynolds, An Oscar And Bafta-Winning British Production Designer, Has Died At The Age Of 89

Norman Reynolds, a British production designer and art director who won Oscars and Baftas, passed away at the age of 89.

For his work on the 1981 film Raiders Of The Lost Ark and the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope, Reynolds received an Oscar and a Bafta.

After John Barry passed away during the creation of The Empire Strikes Back, he succeeded Barry as production designer for the sequels. He served as art director on Star Wars: A New Hope.

Reynolds has previously been referred to as the “creative core” and “utter genius” of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series by Steven Spielberg, who also helmed Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

Yoda’s home planet of Dagobah, the Emperor’s throne room, and the scene where Indiana Jones is being pursued by a huge boulder were all designed by Reynolds.

He was born in 1934 in Willesden and eventually made his home in Cheltenham. He is regarded as a modest man who, rather than playing a major role in Hollywood production design, supposedly claimed to make biscuits for a living.

Additionally, Reynolds created the sets for movies including Superman, Empire of the Sun, Alien 3, Return to Oz, and the first Mission: Impossible. He also served as the special effects director for Exorcist III and the second unit director for Alive in 1993.

His family released the following statement: “Norman was a beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

“You wouldn’t know that a hugely accomplished production designer who created some of the most memorable set designs in film history was hiding behind his modest, amusing, and kind demeanor.

He was astounded by the fan base he attracted and by how much it meant to them. Above all else, he cherished and appreciated his huge and expanding family.

Norman Reynolds, An Oscar And Bafta-Winning British Production Designer, Has Died At The Age Of 89

Norman Reynolds, a British production designer and art director who won Oscars and Baftas, passed away at the age of 89.

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