Vangelis, Oscar-Winning Composer Behind Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner, Dies at 79
Vangelis, the Greek composer who won an Oscar for Chariots of Fire, died on Tuesday in a French hospital while being treated for COVID-19, according to Greek media reports. He was 79. Born Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou on March 29, 1943, Vangelis was raised in Athens, Greece, where he taught himself piano and formed a... »
Peng Wang, Budding Cinematographer and Chapman University Student, Dies at 29 in Sand Dune Accident
Peng Wang, a budding cinematographer who was studying his craft at Chapman University, died on Friday, April 15, following a sand dune accident in southern California that involved an off-road vehicle. He was 29 years old. Wang was with a group of three USC film students who were taking pictures on a large sand dune... »
Oscar-Winning Editor David Brenner, Who Worked With Oliver Stone and Zack Snyder, Dies at 59
Oscar-winning editor David Brenner, who cut nine of Oliver Stone‘s movies, died suddenly on Thursday morning at his home in West Hollywood. He was 59. Brenner had spent the past year editing James Cameron‘s long-awaited Avatar sequels, so, fortunately, he was able to spend his final days with his family. Brenner began working with Stone in 1986... »
Luster Bayless, Costume Designer on Many John Wayne Movies, Dies at 84
Legendary Hollywood costume designer Luster Bayless, who dressed John Wayne in more than a dozen classic Westerns, including True Grit and The Shootist, died of natural causes last Friday at his home in Canyon Country, California. He was 84. Bayless was a Navy veteran who grew up in Mississippi and hitchhiked to Los Angeles, where... »
Ghostbusters Director Ivan Reitman Dies at 75, Leaves Behind a Rich Comedy Legacy
Some people grew up on Star Wars. Others on Star Trek. Some grew up on Marvel comics. Others were loyal DC readers. Some loved James Bond, while others preferred Indiana Jones. Of course, most people love all of these things. But me? I didn’t love any of them. I loved Ghostbusters, which by extension means that I... »
George Spiro Dibie, TV Cinematographer and Union Leader, Dies at 90
Veteran television cinematographer and longtime union leader George Spiro Dibie died on Tuesday. He was 90 years old. Born in Jerusalem, Dibie spent nearly 50 years working in television, getting his start in the mid-’70s with a job as a lighting consultant on Barney Miller. He went on to shoot more than 60 telefilms and... »
Music Editor Dina Eaton Dies at 70; Worked on James Bond, Edgar Wright Movies
British music editor Dina Eaton, who worked on five James Bond movies, has died following complications from surgery at a hospital in England. She was 70. Eaton worked on more than 50 films over the course of her career, which included a decade-long stint at Eon Productions, which produces the 007 movies. Between 1998 and... »
VFX Legend Douglas Trumbull Dies at 79; Worked on Several Sci-Fi Classics
Visual effects legend Douglas Trumbull, whose film credits include sci-fi classics such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Blade Runner, died on Monday as a result of complications from mesothelioma. He was 79. Trumbull earned Oscar nominations for his VFX work on Close Encounters and Blade Runner, as well as... »
Glenn Berger, ICG’s Longtime National Controller, Dead at 64
Glenn Berger, who served as the longtime national controller for the International Cinematographers Guild, died on Monday at the age of 64. Berger died while at work at the ICG’s headquarters in Los Angeles and in a cruel twist of fate, he was just four days away from retirement. “Our hearts are broken as we... »
A Tribute to Sidney Poitier, One of the Most Important Stars in Hollywood History
Sidney Poitier was not only one of the greatest actors ever to grace the screen, but a trailblazing legend who inspired entire generations of actors. He passed on Friday at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of classic films that have entertained and enlightened audiences for years. Poitier was the first bonafide Black... »