TV Art Director and Sculptor Dick Stiles Passes

(Above) Dick Stiles (pictured 2nd from left) participates in the unveiling of
the Jim Henson wall sculpture on the Television Academy's Hall of Fame Plaza in 2005.
L to R: Phil Wayne, Sculpture Committee chairman; Dick Stiles, Hall of Fame Sculptor;
Lisa Henson and Dick Askin, former chairman of the Television Academy.

We were truly saddened to learn that Emmy-nominated television art director and sculptor Dick Stiles died Monday of pneumonia and heart failure. Stiles worked tirelessly on the Television Academy's Hall of Fame Sculpture Committee during the past two decades, serving three terms as co-chair as well as sculpting many of the works himself. Along with being an Archive interviewee, Dick was a staunch supporter of the Archive, even giving his time to allow us to chronicle his creation of the Jim Henson wall sculpture (above) at the Television Academy.



In the above clip (part 3 of 3 of his interview), he discusses his work with the Television Academy. His full interview can be seen here.

Interview description:
Television Art Director Dick Stiles spoke about working at CBS' Television City and the introduction of color TV, as well as about the craft of drafting and art direction. He detailed his work on various other productions, culminating in a 27-year career as the art director of "Wheel of Fortune". He also talked about his contributions in the selection and creation of sculptures on the plaza of the Television Academy's headquarters. Mr. Stiles was interviewed June 21, 2003.