The entertainment world is mourning the sudden loss of a young and gifted makeup artist. Ava Gillies, who worked on major Hollywood productions like Barbie, Bridgerton, and The Crown, has died at the age of 26. She lost her life in a car crash in North Yorkshire, England, on July 29, 2026.
Gillies was driving her white Volkswagen Polo on a country road in Wrelton when her vehicle collided with a black Audi A4 around 1:30 a.m. North Yorkshire Police confirmed that she died at the scene. Five people who were in the Audi were taken to the hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. Police are continuing to investigate the crash and have asked anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
A Rising Star in Hair and Makeup
Ava Gillies had built a strong career in film and television makeup over the past five years. Her work included some of the biggest titles in recent entertainment. She contributed to Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster Barbie, Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar-winning Belfast, and the superhero film Wonder Woman 1984. On television, she worked on popular Netflix series such as Bridgerton, The Crown, and Band of Spies. She also worked on Star Wars: The Acolyte.
According to her IMDb profile and professional website, Gillies worked across feature films, television dramas, commercials, and short films. Her portfolio listed 29 projects during her career. She studied at York College before training at the Delamar Academy of Make-up and Hair in London, where she graduated in 2018.
Family Pays Tribute to Their ‘Beautiful Daughter’
Gillies’ family released a statement through North Yorkshire Police, remembering her as their “beautiful daughter, sister and granddaughter”. They spoke about the deep loss they are feeling.
“Ava, we will always, always miss you, your wit, your charm, your beauty, your feisty confidence, your many talents and your excellence in your field: hair & makeup for film and TV.”
The family reflected on her short but full life. They said, “In almost 27 years with us, you packed in so much, study, travel, and work. It was a privilege to have raised you and loved you”.
They also took comfort in knowing how many people cared about her. “What’s becoming clearer with every passing day is you were loved by so many people outside the family, your friends and the community in which you were raised,” the statement read. They added that messages from people in the film industry had brought them great comfort.
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BAFTA Connect Recognition and Industry Support
Gillies was selected for BAFTA Connect in 2023. This three-year program helps emerging professionals in the screen industries by offering networking, mentoring, and career development opportunities. Her family proudly mentioned this achievement in their tribute.
The Delamar Academy, where Gillies trained, also paid tribute to her. The school said it was “broken-hearted” by the news. They described her as an “exceptionally gifted artist” who had been successfully building her career since graduating in 2018. The academy added, “Ava was a kind, creative, hardworking and lovely person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her”.
Colleagues and friends from the film and television industry have also shared their grief and memories of working with her.
Ava Gillies’ funeral details have not yet been announced. Her family said these would be shared “in due course”.
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