Celebrated Artist Dick Stiles Dies Emmy-nominated art director's stunning work is featured across the Television Academy's Hall of Fame Plaza, among other places November 24, 2008

Emmy-nominated television art director and sculptor Dick Stiles died this morning of pneumonia and heart failure. Stiles had recently undergone the removal of a brain tumor.

Stiles worked tirelessly on the Television Academy's Hall of Fame Scultpure Committee during the past two decades, serving three terms as co-chair as well as sculpting many of the works himself.

He is survived by family members and many friends.

Dick Stiles talks with the Archive of American Television

In June 2003, the Archive of American Television interviewed renowned artist Richard "Dick" Stiles.

During Stiles' three-part interview, he speaks of working at CBS Television City, the introduction of color television and the craft of art direction.

He discusses his lengthy production career, including his 27 years as the art director for game phenom Wheel of Fortune. Stiles earned an Emmy® nomination in 1994 and an Art Directors Guild award nomination in 2001 for his work on the program.

Plus, Stiles talks of his contributions in the selection and creation of sculptures on the plaza of the Television Academy's headquarters.

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.

The complete interview is available for viewing at the AAT office, located on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences plaza in North Hollywood. Contact the Television Archive at (818) 754-2800 for more information.

To learn more about this life and works of this American Archive of Television personality online, please visit the Archive of American Television Update blog