Barbara Ling, the Academy Award-winning production designer known for her work on Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has died at the age of 73. She passed away on Thursday in Santa Barbara after receiving a cancer diagnosis, according to a WME spokesperson who confirmed the news to Deadline. Ling is survived by her wife, Lindsay, and their sons, Clay and Will.
A Legacy in Production Design
Born in 1952 and raised in Los Angeles, Ling built a career spanning major Hollywood hits. She contributed to Joel Schumacher's Batman films, A Man Called Otto (2022), and Michael (2026), which recently became the highest-grossing biographical film of all time. Her family stated: "Equally gifted at period authenticity, contemporary realism, and stylised fantasy, Ling leaves behind a legacy that profoundly influenced the art of production design and the visual language of modern filmmaking."
Oscar Win and Tributes
A pivotal moment in her career came in 2020 when she won the Academy Award for Best Production Design for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). Following news of her death, tributes poured in from A-list stars. Actress and singer Rita Wilson shared a heartfelt Instagram post, recalling Ling's work on A Man Called Otto: "What she did on that film was extraordinary because there were no special effects or CGI in how she and Tarantino created 70s Hollywood. Hollywood is my home town. Her work replicated that era perfectly." Wilson added: "Barbara was quiet, kind, detailed, tenacious, and funny. She was one of the greats. And she will be missed."
Fan Reactions
Fans also paid tribute on social media. One wrote on X: "RIP Barbara Ling. Thank you for creating this version of Gotham City." Another said: "RIP Barbara Ling, the production designer who brought to life Joel Schumacher's vision of Gotham City. Her work on the Schumacher films was incredible. Brilliant stuff."
