Andrew Lesnie, the Academy Award winning cinematographer of Peter Jackson’s LORD OF THE RINGS and THE HOBBIT movies, has died at the age of 59.
A spokesman from the Australian Cinematographers Society said “We have been advised of the sudden death of Andrew.” They added that his family would make an official statement at a later time.
Lesnie also shot RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, I AM LEGEND, KING KONG, and more recently Russell Crowe’s directorial debut, THE WATER DIVINER. It was to be his last credit.
Crowe reacted to the news on Twitter earlier.
Devastating news from home. The master of the light, genius Andrew Lesnie has passed on .
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) April 28, 2015
Lesnie was a veteran of 40 years in the film business, and also worked with MAD MAX helmer George Miller on MAD MAX 2: ROAD WARRIOR, BABE and BABE: PIG IN THE CITY.
Lesnie is said to have suffered a heart attack yesterday (Monday). Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Lesnie’s family at this difficult time.
Source: News.com.au
