Hollywood Still Photographer Wynn Hammer Passes Away at 97
It has been an absolutely tragic year for Hollywood and the below-the-line community with COVID taking so many away from us even above and beyond any normal year. Sadly, Below the Line has been informed today that Still Photographer Wynn Hammer has passed away at the age on May 2, 2021, at the age of 97, although... »
Iconic Star Trek Costume Designer Robert Fletcher Dead at 98
Costume Designer Robert Fletcher, who provided costumes for stage and screen for over six decades, died on April 5 in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 98. No cause of death was disclosed, but a spokesman for Fletcher said he died peacefully. Fletcher’s husband of 65 years, singer, Broadway dancer and New York... »
Oscar-Nominated The Stunt Man Filmmaker Richard Rush Dead at 91
Filmmaker Richard Rush, who received two Oscar nominations for his 1980 film, The Stunt Man, starring Peter O’Toole, died on April 8 in Los Angeles at the age of 91. According to Claude, his wife of 48 years, Rush had been suffering from longtime health issues, although he died comfortably at home. In a statement, she said,... »
Emmy-Winning Director and Producer Harry Kooperstein Dies
Director and Producer Harry Kooperstein, who won 17 Emmy Awards, including eight for his work on the annual Live From the Hollywood Bowl telecasts, died March 30 in Palm Desert, Calif. He was 78 and no cause of death was given in a report by the Desert Sun media outlet. A Governor for the Academy... »
Oscar-nominated Filmmaker Alan Parker Has Died at 76
Sad news has arrived from the British Film Institute that Alan Parker, director of iconic films like Midnight Express, Evita and Bugsy Malone, has succumbed to a long-term illness and died in London at the age of 76. Over the course of thirty years, Parker had assembled an astounding filmography that began in earnest after a few shorts... »
Oscar-Winning Film Composer Ennio Morricone Dies At 91
The Italian film composer Ennio Morricone has died at the age of 91 on Monday, July 6th, 2020. His Lawyer, Giorgio Assumma, told CNN that he died at dawn in a Rome hospital after falling and breaking his leg. Morricone is best known internationally as the composer behind the melodies from The Good, the... »
Academy Award Winning Engineer Jim Houston Dies
With great sadness, the Hollywood Section of Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) has announced the passing of its long-time member Jim Houston. A 34-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Houston held senior engineering positions with several studios and prominent post-production facilities, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Pacific Title & Art, Walt Disney... »
Visionary Artist Syd Mead Dies At 86
Production designer and visionary artist Syd Mead passed away peacefully at his home in Pasadena, California on Monday, December 30, 2019. Roger Servick, his spouse and business partner of 40 years was by his side and recalls his last words “I’m done here, they’re coming to take me back”. He was 86 years old. Mead... »
Matthews Co-Founder and President Ed Phillips Dies at 72
At 72 years old, Ed Phillips, who helped start Matthews Studio Equipment (MSE) in 1969 and presided as President for nearly 50 years, died Saturday, June 22nd. The cause of death was not reported by his family. He had an active career defining grip standards and developing new products; and innovating to standardize the... »
Tribute to Founder Jim Flynn
Jim Flynn, Founder of Pro-Sound NYC, passed away on February 11th of this year at the age of 62, following a period of deteriorating health, leaving behind his wife Jo Ann and his son Logan. Jim’s 35+ year career began at Audio Techniques, and then Martin Audio. He then ran the rental department at... »