Emmy-nominated set decorator KC Fox — who worked on the sets of films like Speed, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The 40-Year-Old Virgin — died Aug. 28 of pancreatic cancer. The prolific artisan, whose career spanned four decades, was 70.
“Known for her joie de vivre, keen artistic eye, belly laugh, and clever wit, she was beloved by her crew and colleagues,” the Set Decorators Society of America wrote in an obituary on its website. “K.C. generously offered career advice, mentored through the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and served on many Boards and Committees at the SDSA and AMPAS.”
A founding member of the SDSA and 2024 recipient of the Earl Cooperman Lifetime Achievement Award, Fox died at home, surrounded by her family. Throughout her illustrious career, she racked up two Art Directors Guild Awards for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and HBO’s Little Britain USA. She was additionally nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special for Gypsy, starring Bette Midler.
IATSE Local 44’s Set Decorator Steering Committee, of which Fox was a decades-long member, wrote, “KC was a beloved member of the Set Decoration craft; a force of nature, and an inspiration to all generations of Set Decorators who will follow in her giant footsteps.”
The veteran AMPAS and Television Academy member worked in film, television, music videos and commercials, garnering notable credits in titles such as Criminal Minds, Rock of Ages, Fright Night, Shameless, Valentine’s Day, Volcano, He’s Just Not That Into You, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Cheaper By the Dozen, Legally Blonde 2, Doctor Doolittle, Breakfast of Champions, Bowfinger, Multiplicity, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., United States of Tara, Jesse and Mad Men.
“We celebrate her life, generous soul and amazing spirit,” Local 44 added. “We will miss you.”
Fox grew up in Los Angeles, born Feb. 1, 1954 to two educators. After spending a year in Europe in a small camper with her parents and two brothers, “the seeds of wanderlust and observation were planted,” she said in a Q&A with SDSA. After a series of odd jobs in college, which included working at ski resorts, apprenticing for a stained glass master, being a cocktail server and serving as a poker dealer, she graduated with a degree in commercial recreation and tourism that led her to work in England as a tour wholesaler representative, where a friend introduced her to the film industry.
“My first film, ironically, was TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT but I did quite the opposite and headed towards the art department!” Fox explained.
In the ’80s, she transitioned from art department coordinator for then-production designer James Cameron to set decorator on teen films. Within a couple of years, Fox was art directing and/or decorating for commercials, music videos and movies of the week. After toiling for 12 years, Fox made it into the union.
“I love what I do … can’t imagine not doing it,” she stated. “It is such a gift we are given to create characters and define spaces in a world of imagination. Self-taught as I am, I have learned to keep my eyes open and soak it up. Most importantly: do the research. Go the extra mile. Trust your instincts. Don’t try to fix something with a Band-Aid, get to the root of the problem and re-invent the solution. Look at the big picture. Look also at the small picture … little jewelry box … what is going to be seen in the close up? … Use your powers, do your homework … make a choice. Be confident that your instincts will prevail.”
Per the SDSA obit, donations in her memory can be made to Big Sunday, Planned Parenthood and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN).
