Ray Chan Dead: 'Avengers,' 'Deadpool' Art Director Was 56

Raymond Chan, a longtime art director in the production design department for Marvel Studios features, died Tuesday near his home in Wales. He was 56. His death was confirmed in a statement by the studio.

Chan was a regular contributor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with credits including “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame” and the upcoming “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

Sources told TMZ that “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds is “downright gutted about the sudden loss — and that it hits close to home for him.” The “Deadpool & Wolverine” crew is “devastated by the loss of their beloved compatriot.”

Chan’s first Marvel credit was on the 2013 sequel “Thor: The Dark World,” where he served as supervising art director. Outside of Marvel Studios, his other credits include “National Treasure,” “Nanny McPhee,” “Children of Men,” “Blood Diamond,” “Robin Hood,” “Knight and Day” and “Dungeons and Dragons.”

Born Dec. 1, 1967 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, Chan was raised by his parents, both immigrants from Hong Kong. He studied graphic design at the Liverpool School of Art before earning a Masters at Kingston Art College. His first entertainment credit came with the film “The Secret Rapture” in 1993, launching him into the world of film and commercial art departments.

“Ray was first and foremost a good friend to everyone at Marvel Studios. He was a talented collaborator who brought creativity and attention to detail to every frame of every movie he worked on, and who was able to bring out the best in each department he worked with,” said Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito in a joint statement. “He was the nicest human being and was such a pleasure to work with, hugely generous and the kind of person who could take the seed of an idea and turn it into something beautiful. We are devastated by his passing. He will be missed by everyone at Marvel and our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.”

Chan is survived by his wife, Lindsay, and his children, Caspar and Sebastian.