Jeremy Railton, founder and principal designer of Railton Entertainment Design, based in Los Angeles, CA, passed away on July 9, 2025 at his home in Three Rivers, CA, at the age of 80. He was at the forefront of entertainment design over an almost fifty-year career in which he designed for many significant artists, large-scale events, television specials, and theme park attractions.
"It is with deep sadness that I share that our guiding light, Jeremy Railton, left us last night, with sweet Ryan and Brian by his side. He was a delicate diplomat, ardent artist, debonair do-gooder, avian altruist, mind-blowing magic maker and heartwarming human of the highest order. He was my Kenobi, Dumbledore and Blue Fairy, all-in-one. I loved him, fiercely. The world has lost a masterpiece of a man." - Sara Boucher.
Born on a ranch in Zimbabwe on August 2, 2944, and educated in fine art in England, Railton began his career in British film production while still a student. His early success then led him to Los Angeles' prestigious Mark Taper Forum, where he worked with Christopher Isherwood, and then went on to assist the legendary Cecil Beaton in an LA production of My Fair Lady.
His renown as an art director grew steadily and eventually led Railton into a successful career in film and television. He won critical acclaim as a production designer for recreating post-WW II Los Angeles in Paramount's The Two Jakes. He earned his first Emmy in art direction for his work on Pee Wee's Playhouse, a second Emmy for art direction of the 57th Annual Academy Awards, and a third for set and costume design for the Hallmark Hall of Fame's children series Zoobilee Zoo.
In the pop music world, Railton was one of the most prolific art directors and production designers. His credits in live concert staging, television concert specials, and music videos include projects for Barbra Streisand, Phil Collins, Luther Vandross, Cher, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Neil Diamond, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Julio Iglesias, Fleetwood Mac, and the EMP Opening Concert.
Railton was also behind a diverse variety of architectural projects such as AT&T's Global Olympic Village at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and Billboard Live! night club in Los Angeles; Las Vegas entertainment spectacles such as Atlantis at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and The Fremont Street Experience, a light matrix vault over downtown's famous avenue; the GM Pavilion Showroom Theater, an attraction at Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida; as well as leading the design team for Fox Studios Australia in Sydney; Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Other projects include Motiongate and Bollywood Parks Dubai at Dubai Parks & Resorts; The Crane Dance, Resorts World Sentosa; The Fortune Diamond, Galaxy Macau; Panasonic Pavilion, Universal City Walk at Universal Studios Hollywood; and the 1984 Olympics, Los Angeles.
He was awarded the Buzz Price Thea Award, a lifetime achievement award by the Themed Entertainment Association and additional Thea Awards, a total of five Emmys, and an Art Director’s Guild Award among others, including the 2008 LDI Designer Of The Year Award.
