Oscar-winning production designer and art director Stuart Craig passed away this week at age 83.
Stuart Craig
His death was confirmed via Neil Lamont on the British Film Designers Guild Facebook page. Lamont wrote, “It is with great sadness, that I report that my friend and mentor, Production Designer Stuart Craig passed away last night, 7th September 2025 aged 83, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Stuart was the UK ’s and, most probably, cinemas most revered film Designer, winner of 3 Oscars, Gandhi, Dangerous Liaisons and The English Patient and many other awards. A true giant!”
Stuart and Lamont met when working on The English Patient. Lamont said, “The experiences I had on this film, not only allowed me to see Stuarts talent, his beautiful sketches, pencil drawings and vision, but also the way which he conducted himself in all walks of life, in the Studio, the car, restaurants. A true gentleman, with grace, kindness and humility.”
He added, “Stuart was very generous with his time and advice, always taking the time to share his knowledge and support those around him.”
Craig was production designer on all eight Harry Potter films and three Fantastic Beasts films.
Craig was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won Best Art Direction for Gandhi, Dangerous Liaisons, and The English Patient. He was nominated sixteen times for the BAFTA award for Best Production Design, including for all but one Harry Potter film. He won the award for The Elephant Man, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (with Anna Pinnock).
He won the Art Directors Guild award for The English Patient and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, and was nominated for the award for four other Harry Potter films. The Guild honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 ceremonies.
Craig worked alongside Universal Creative to design the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, which was then replicated with slight variations at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Studios Beijing.
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