Stuart Craig, the Oscar-winning production designer known for his work on the Harry Potter films, The English Patient and The Elephant Man, has died at the age of 83. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at home on Sunday after a 14-year battle with Parkinson's disease.
Craig's career spanned more than four decades, during which he won three Academy Awards for Best Art Direction for Gandhi, Dangerous Liaisons and The English Patient. He received a total of 11 Oscar nominations, including four for the Harry Potter series. At the Baftas, he earned 16 nominations and three wins.
David Heyman, producer of the Harry Potter films, described Craig as “one of the greatest production designers to work in film” and praised his kindness and ability to bring out the best in others. Director David Yates called him “a giant in our industry” who was “graceful, talented, stubborn and always nurturing emerging design talent.”
Born in Norwich in 1942, Craig studied at the Royal College of Art before working on films such as Casino Royale and Superman. His breakthrough came as production designer on David Lynch's The Elephant Man, earning his first Oscar nomination. He went on to design all eight Harry Potter films, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001.
Craig is survived by his wife and children. His family said they were moved by hearing how many lives he touched, adding: “He will live on in our hearts forever.”
