Oscar-Winning Key Figure from ‘Harry Potter’ Movies Dies at 83
Stuart Craig, the award-winning British production designer who helped shape some of the most iconic films in cinema history, has died at the age of 83.
His death was confirmed by the British Film Designers Guild, which shared a tribute from designer Neil Lamont on Facebook.
Craig, who had been living with Parkinson’s disease, passed away on September 7. Lamont remembered him in an emotional message, writing, “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, cinema’s most-revered film designer … a true giant!”
Over his long career, Craig won three Academy Awards for his work on Gandhi, Dangerous Liaisons, and The English Patient. He was also nominated several times for films such as The Elephant Man, Chaplin, and The Secret Garden.
His work became known for its elegance, detail, and ability to bring entire worlds to life.
In the late 1990s, Craig took on what would become one of his most famous projects: serving as production designer on all eight Harry Potter films.
He also worked on the Fantastic Beasts movies, where his sets helped bring J.K. Rowling’s magical universe into reality.
Lamont shared his memories of first meeting Craig while working on The English Patient. “Stuart and I first worked together on The English Patient, flying to Tunis to join him was one of the most important days of my career,” he wrote. “
Straight out of the airport, on a recce of a local derelict, ruined building, 40 degrees, nervous, and I probably did one of the poorest surveys ever on a location. It turned out that we, subsequently, found better places. The experiences I had on this film, not only allowed me to see Stuart’s 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.”
Craig’s influence on film design stretched far beyond the movies he worked on. His colleagues often spoke of his creativity, kindness, and ability to inspire everyone around him. Lamont summed it up simply: “I bet that anyone you ask, ‘which designer would you like to work with the most,’ the answer 100% would be Stuart Craig. Anyone who met him will remember their encounter forever.”
Craig leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary work that changed the way audiences see film. His artistry will live on through the worlds he built on screen.
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