'Django Unchained' production designer J Michael Riva dies

Riva, whose recent film resume also includes "The Amazing Spider-Man", "Iron Man" and its sequel, suffered a stroke June 3 in New Orleans while preparing to head to the set of "Django", the Hollywood Reporter said.

Riva, who notably was the grandson of Marlene Deitrich, earned an Academy Award nomination for his work on 1985's "The Color Purple".

His other production design credits include the "Lethal Weapon" franchise, "A Few Good Men", the "Charlie's Angels" films, "The Pursuit of Happyness", "Seven Pounds", "Goonies", "Dave" and "Ordinary People.

His TV credits included the film 'Tuesdays With Morrie' and the the 74th Annual Academy Awards, for which he received an Emmy nomination. He later won an Emmy for designing the the 79th installment of the Oscar telecast.

Riva was also a writer, earning a nomination from the Writers Guild of America for his original screenplay, Lily in Winter, a 1994 made-for-TV movie produced by Showtime.

"Michael Riva was a wonderful collaborator, brilliant designer, an emphatic perfectionist -- but most of all he was a great friend. He was a gift from the universe, and I will miss him like crazy," said Marc Webb, director of "The Amazing Spider-Man".

"Michael became a dear friend on this picture, as well as a magnificent, talented colleague. Every member of our Django crew family is devastated by this tragic loss as we persevere on his wonderful sets," said 'Django' director Tarantino.