Oscar-winning production designer Barbara Ling was known for recreating 1969 Los Angeles for Quentin Tarantino's acclaimed film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Ling, who passed away at the age of 73 last Thursday after battling cancer in Santa Barbara, left a significant mark in the industry.

Born in Los Angeles, Ling worked on many notable projects throughout her career. She designed the modern-day version of the city in the 1993 film Falling Down starring Michael Douglas. Additionally, she collaborated with director Joel Schumacher to create the fictional Gotham City in Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997). Ling's work left a lasting impact on the world of cinema.

In 1991, Ling served as the production designer for classic films like Oliver Stone's The Doors and Jon Avnet's Fried Green Tomatoes. She also contributed to projects such as Hearts in Atlantis (2001), No Reservations (2007), The Lucky One (2012), and Fallen (2016) alongside Scott Hicks. Most recently, she worked on productions like A Man Called Otto (2022), starring Tom Hanks, and Michael (2026), directed by Antoine Fuqua.

In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Ling shared the Oscar for Best Production Design with set decorator Nancy Haigh. Describing Tarantino's approach to the project, Ling said, "He wanted it to feel real. He wanted to really feel Hollywood." Barbara Ling's contributions to the film industry made her an unforgettable figure.