Ava Gillis, a 26-year-old makeup artist, died on July 26, 2026, after a car crash in Wrelton, North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire police say Gillis was driving her white Volkswagen Polo along a carriageway when a black Audi A4 collided with her vehicle. First responders tried to save her at the scene but she was pronounced dead.
Gillis had built a five-year career in film and television makeup and was a member of BAFTA. Her credits included Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, Netflix’s Bridgerton, Wonder Woman 1984, The Crown, and The Acolyte. She had also completed work on the upcoming Ayo Edebiri and Will Sharpe series Prodigies and a short film called Route Cause before her death.
Her family issued a tribute describing her life cut short. “Almost 27 years with us, you packed in so much, study, travel, and work. It was a privilege to have raised you and loved you. Our beautiful daughter, sister and granddaughter, your loss is immeasurable,” the family wrote.
Gillis kept an active personal Instagram, @avafgilles, documenting her travels, craft projects, and cooking. Her final post, shared from a trip to Ireland, read: “I’d never explored the concept of being jealous of yourself, but the me, right now in Ireland, is sick to death of me from two months ago.” The post drew a flood of comments from friends and followers mourning her death.
Gillis worked on HBO’s legal drama War, and the show paid tribute to her at the close of this week’s episode, “The Juicy Bit.” The series’ season one finale is set to air Thursday, Dec. 19 on HBO and HBO Max.
