The film world is saddened by the news that five-time Oscar nominee cinematographer Owen Roizman has passed away at the age of 86.
The cinematographer of classics like The Exorcist, The French Connection and Network died after a “long illness,” according to American Cinematographer’s Instagram post.
The magazine, which is “the world’s premier cinematography trade magazine,” added it was preparing a “complete memorial” for Roizman.
RIP: The film world is saddened by the news that five-time Oscar nominee cinematographer Owen Roizman has passed away at the age of 86
Memorial: The magazine, which is “the world’s premier cinematography trade magazine,” added it was preparing a “full memorial” for Roizman
“We are deeply saddened to hear that cinematographer Owen Roizman, ASC, has died at the age of 86 after a long illness,” the American cinematographer’s post began.
“Nominated five times for his cinematography, he received an honorary Oscar for his contributions to cinema in 2017,” they added.
The publication also linked to the report of their 2017 Roizman celebration at the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) clubhouse in Los Angeles.
Illness: “We are very sorry to hear that cinematographer Owen Roizman, ASC, has died at the age of 86 after a long illness,” the post of American cinematographer began
Born on September 22, 1936 in Brooklyn, Roizman grew up dreaming of playing professional baseball, even attending a tryout for the New York Yankees.
His father, Sol, was a cinematographer at MovieTone, and when Roizman found out what he could do as a cinematographer, as opposed to math or physics – subjects he excelled at in school – he decided to “play the money,” as he told Variety in a 2017 interview.
He began as an assistant to cinematographer Gerald Hirschfield before making his feature film debut as cinematographer in 1970’s Stop!
Early Years: Born on September 22, 1936 in Brooklyn, Roizman grew up dreaming of playing professional baseball, even attending a tryout game for the New York Yankees
His second film earned him his first Oscar nomination – the 1971 classic The French Connection, which revealed in a 2011 interview with the Los Angeles Times that The French Connection director William Friedkin was fortunate to see his work in Stop!
‘Friedkin said, “I like your work in it; what I want to do… what I want is some kind of realistic street photography.” I said, “Why not? I should be able to do anything you tell me. I’m a cameraman.” He liked my attitude,’ Roizman said.
He was cinematographer on The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight, Play It Again, Sam, Liza With a Z and The Heartbreak Kid before reuniting with Friedkin for his 1973 classic The Exorcist, where he received his second Academy Award nomination.
Classic: His second film garnered his first Oscar nomination – the 1971 classic The French Connection, which revealed in a 2011 interview with the Los Angeles Times that The French Connection director William Friedkin was fortunate to see his work in Stop and had enjoyed
Second, he was a cinematographer on The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight, Play It Again, Sam, Liza With a Z and The Heartbreak Kid before reuniting with Friedkin for his 1973 classic The Exorcist, where he received his second Oscar nomination received
Roizman also served as cinematographer on 1970s hits like The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Three Days of the Condor and Network, the latter of which earned him his third Academy Award nomination.
He also received Oscar nominations for 1983’s Tootsie and 1995’s Wyatt Earp before receiving an Academy Award of Honor in 2018.
Roizman is survived by his 58-year-old wife Mona Lindholm and their son Eric, who has worked as a cinematographer on TV shows such as Lethal Weapon, The Last Man on Earth and Justified.
Third, Roizman also served as cinematographer on 1970s hits like The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Three Days of the Condor and Network, the latter of which earned him his third Oscar nomination