Sidney J. Bartholomew Jr. dies at 54

Production designer worked with 'PeeWee,' Farrellys

By VARIETY STAFF

Production designer Sidney J. Bartholomew Jr., who started out on "PeeWee's Playouse" and went on to work on "Dumb and Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary," died June 15 in Los Angeles. He was 54.

Born in Tarboro, N.C., he studied art at Appalachian State U. and earned a Masters in art from Memphis State U. He worked as an assistant to conceptual artist Christo entering the entertainment business as art director on the influential and visually imaginative childrens show "Pee-wee's Playhouse." He was part of the team that won a Daytime Emmy for art direction for the show.

Bartholomew Jr. went on to work with many of the major music video directors in the late '80s and early '90s and brought his signature style to videos including George Harrison's "I Got My Mind Set on You."

In 1994 he moved to the bigscreen as production designer for "Dumb & Dumber."

He continued his relationship with Peter and Bobby Farrelly as production designer on films including "Kingpin," "Shallow Hal," "Osmosis Jones" and most recently "The Heartbreak Kid."

Peter Farrelly said, "He was the most talented artist I've ever known, but his huge heart will be the thing I will always remember."

In 2002 he wrote and directed the kids soccer film "Just For Kicks" for MGM. His visual artwork is exhibited in galleries in New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

He is survived by a sister.