Emmy-Nominated Set Decorator Passes Away at 70

Emmy-nominated set decorator KC Fox, known for her work on iconic films such as Speed, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, passed away on August 28 due to pancreatic cancer. Fox, a prolific artisan with a career stretching over four decades, was 70 years old.

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The Set Decorators Society of America (SDSA) described her as a person with a great love for life, an exceptional artistic vision, and a sharp sense of humor. “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,” the SDSA wrote in an obituary on its website.

Fox was a founding member of the SDSA and the recipient of the 2024 Earl Cooperman Lifetime Achievement Award. She passed away at home, surrounded by her family. Her career achievements include two Art Directors Guild Awards for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and HBO’s Little Britain USA. Additionally, she was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special for her work on Gypsy, starring Bette Midler.

IATSE Local 44’s Set Decorator Steering Committee, where Fox was a longtime member, remarked, “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.”

Fox’s extensive experience spanned across film, television, music videos, and commercials. She was involved in numerous notable projects including 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.”

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Fox was born on February 1, 1954, in Los Angeles to two educators. After spending a year in a small camper in Europe with her family, she developed a strong sense of curiosity and exploration. Fox attended college where she undertook various jobs including working at ski resorts, apprenticing for a stained glass master, working as a cocktail server, and dealing poker. She eventually graduated with a degree in commercial recreation and tourism, which led her to a job in England. It was here, through a friend, she was introduced to the film industry.

Her first film was Take This Job and Shove It, although she quickly transitioned towards the art department, making a name for herself in the ’80s as she worked from art department coordinator to set decorator on teen films. Within a few years, she expanded her repertoire to art directing and decorating for commercials, music videos, and movies of the week. Her hard work paid off when she was accepted into the union after 12 years.

“I love what I do … can’t imagine not doing it,” Fox once said. “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.”

In her memory, SDSA encourages donations to be made to organizations like Big Sunday, Planned Parenthood, and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN).

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