Production designer and art director Dean Tavoularis, known for his work on films such as The Godfather franchise, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation, passed away recently. Tavoularis earned multiple nominations in the Best Art Direction Oscar category, winning one in 1975 for his work in The Godfather Part II alongside Angelo Graham, Set Decoration, and George R Nelson.
Francis Ford Coppola took to his Instagram Stories and paid a tribute to Tavoularis. The legendary filmmaker wrote, "My dear friend in collaborator Dean Tavoularis has passed, a profound loss. I would be unable to list the many ways he benefited my work and my personal life. He was a beloved Uncle to my children. He was a great artist, a great friend, great Production Designer and a great man."
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the production designer died of natural causes at a Paris hospital on April 22, Wednesday. He was aged 93 years at the time of death. Tavoularis was brought up in Los Angeles, attended art school, and then joined the animation department of Disney Studios in the capacity of a storyboard artist. He entered cinema with Bonnie and Clyde, the classic crime thriller from 1967 that earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination.
He also collaborated with Coppola on films such as Tucker: The Man and His Dream and The Godfather Part III, which earned Oscar nominations. He worked with filmmakers such as Wim Wenders, Roman Polanski, and Warren Beatty, among others.
Tavoularis's survivors include his actress spouse Aurore Clément as well as daughters Gina and Alison.
