‘Barbie’ and ‘Bridgerton’ Makeup Artist Ava Gillies Dies at 26 in Tragic Car Crash

NORTH YORKSHIRE, England — Ava Gillies, a rising makeup artist whose work appeared in major film and television productions including Barbie and Bridgerton, has died following a two-vehicle collision in North Yorkshire. She was 26.

According to North Yorkshire Police, the crash occurred in the early hours of July 29 on the A170 near the village of Wrelton. Authorities said Gillies was driving a white Volkswagen Polo when it collided with a black Audi A4. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while five occupants of the Audi were taken to hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. An investigation into the collision is ongoing.

Gillies had spent more than five years building a career in the film and television industry. Her makeup credits included blockbuster productions such as Barbie, Wonder Woman 1984, Snow White, and Belfast, as well as acclaimed television series including Bridgerton, The Crown, and Star Wars: The Acolyte. Her work also extended to commercials and independent productions, earning her a reputation as a talented and versatile artist.

In 2023, Gillies was selected for BAFTA Connect, a program that supports emerging creative professionals in the United Kingdom’s screen industries. Friends and colleagues described her as a gifted artist whose career was only beginning to flourish.

Her family paid tribute in a statement released through police, describing their loss as “immeasurable.”

“Ava, we will always, always miss you—your wit, your charm, your beauty, your confidence, your many talents, and your excellence in hair and makeup for film and television.”

The family also thanked emergency responders and everyone who had offered support during the difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Tributes have also poured in from colleagues across the entertainment industry. Delamar Academy, where Gillies trained, remembered her as an exceptionally talented, kind, and hardworking makeup artist whose creativity left a lasting impression on those who worked with her.

North Yorkshire Police continue to appeal for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision to come forward as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.