Gene Allen To Be Inducted Into ADG Hall Of Fame, Feb. 2017

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) has announce that legendary production designer Gene Allen will be inducted into the ADG Hall of Fame.during the org's 2017 awards ceremony.  The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 1 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland.

"Gene made an enormous contribution to the art of production design and art direction through his love of color, form and dramatic design," said ADG Council Chairperson Marcia Hinds. "He was a visionary, a leader in the industry, an advocate of the profession and an inspiration to us all.”

Allen got his start in 1936 as a “blueprint boy” in Warner Bros. art department, but studio layoffs led to his enlistment in the LAPD and Navy during World War II. He rejoined Hollywood in 1948 as a sketch artist and quickly rose through the ranks to Art Director, earning his first Oscar nomination for A Star Is Born. He received his first Oscar for his work on My Fair Lady . Other production design credits include At Long Last Love, The Cheyenne Social Club and The Chapman Report. His credits as an Art Director include Let’s Make Love, A Breath of Scandal, Heller in Pink Tights, Merry Andrew, Back from Eternity, Bhowani Junction and Les Girls, which earned him his second Oscar nomination.

Allen, who passed away at the age of 97 last year, was not only a respected craftsman but also a respected executive within the industry. He served three terms as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (1983 to 1985), was Executive Director for the Art Directors Guild for 27 years (1970 to 1997) and served four two-year terms as IATSE Vice President.   He also held memberships  with the Directors Guild of America, the Writers Guild of America and served on numerous industry-related boards including the Motion Picture Industry Pension Plan and the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Allen was a recognized watercolor painter whose work was exhibited in many galleries, more recently the ADG’s Gallery 800 in North Hollywood.

Further information about the ADG and their upcoming award event may be found at:adg.org.