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Barbara Ling, Oscar-Winning Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Production Designer, Dies at 73

Showbiz Reporter Staff

Sat, Jul 11, 2026 at 11:02 AM UTC 2 min read

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Barbara Ling, Oscar-Winning Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Production Designer, Dies at 73

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Top story: Barbara Ling, Oscar-Winning Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Production Designer, Dies at 73. Oscar-winning production designer Barbara Ling, known for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has died at 73 after battling cancer....

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Black-and-white portrait of Oscar-winning production designer Barbara Ling, who died at age 73 after a battle with cancer. — Barbara Ling, the Academy Award-winning production designer behind Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and numerous Hollywood classics, has died at the age of 73.

Barbara Ling, the Oscar-winning production designer behind Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has died at the age of 73. Ling passed away Thursday in Santa Barbara following a battle with cancer, according to a spokesperson for WME, marking the loss of one of Hollywood's most respected creative talents.

An Oscar-Winning Career Defined by Iconic Worlds

Ling earned the Academy Award for Best Production Design for Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where she meticulously recreated 1969 Los Angeles. Her work was widely praised for capturing the city's look and atmosphere, helping transport audiences into Hollywood's golden era.
The production became one of the defining achievements of her decades-long career and cemented her reputation as one of the industry's leading production designers.

From Gotham City to Classic Hollywood

Before her Oscar triumph, Ling built an impressive résumé across film and television. She contributed to productions including The Pee-Wee Herman Show, The Doors, Fried Green Tomatoes, Michael, and Falling Down.
She later reunited with director Joel Schumacher to design the vibrant, stylized Gotham City seen in Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997), showcasing her versatility across genres.

A Lasting Legacy in Film Design

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ling spent decades shaping the visual identity of some of Hollywood's most memorable films. Her attention to historical detail and large-scale world-building made her a sought-after collaborator for acclaimed filmmakers.
According to WME, Ling died in Santa Barbara after battling cancer. Tributes from colleagues and members of the film community are expected as Hollywood reflects on her extraordinary body of work and enduring influence on production design.