Who Is Ray Cusick?

Raymond 'Ray' Cusick (1928 – 21 February 2013) was a British designer best known for his work at the BBC, particularly for designing the iconic Daleks for the science fiction television series Doctor Who. Hired by the BBC in 1960, Cusick was assigned to Doctor Who in 1963 when original designer Ridley Scott was unavailable. Tasked with creating the visual for the show's alien antagonists conceived by Terry Nation, his resulting design, characterized by its menacing pepper-pot shape, eyestalk, manipulator arm, and gunstick, became instantly recognizable and a cornerstone of British popular culture, far exceeding initial expectations. Despite the Daleks' immense success, Cusick, as a staff designer, initially received little financial reward or widespread public recognition for his specific contribution, though his role became more widely acknowledged over time. Beyond Doctor Who, he contributed his design skills to numerous other BBC productions as a set designer throughout his career, including series like 'When the Boat Comes In', 'Juliet Bravo', and 'The Duchess of Duke Street', until his retirement in 1988. His legacy is primarily defined by the enduring and terrifying appeal of the Daleks, a design that has captivated and frightened audiences for decades.

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