He was the cameraman for cult films like “Groundhog Day” and head of the Oscar Academy: John Bailey has now died.
John Bailey is dead. The cinematographer, director and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) died on November 10, 2023 in Los Angeles. He was 81 years old. His wife, film editor Carol Littleton, announced his death in a statement from AMPAS. “It is with deep sadness that I announce that my best friend and husband, John Bailey, passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning,” it said.
“During John’s illness, we remembered how we met 60 years ago and were married for 51 years,” the widow continued. “We shared a wonderful, adventurous life in the film industry and made many lasting friendships along the way. John will live in my heart forever,” said Littleton. She did not name the cause of death or the illness he suffered from.
John Bailey: He worked with Richard Gere and Robert Redford
After graduating from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, John Bailey began his career in film in the early 1970s. After a few years as an assistant, he started out as chief cameraman, for example on “A Man for Certain Hours” with Richard Gere or on Robert Redford’s Oscar-winning directorial debut “A Completely Normal Family” (both 1980). John Bailey shot throughout his career a number of well-known films, from the modern classic “Groundhog Day” to “It couldn’t be better”. Between 1991 and 2001 he directed five films. The best known of these is the thriller “China Moon” with Ed Harris.
He was also involved in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which, among other things, awards the Oscars. After many years and leadership positions in the camera branch of AMPAS, he was elected its president in 2017, the first cameraman ever. He was President of AMPAS until 2019. His term in office included the difficult processing of the Weinstein affair and efforts to make the Oscar jury more diverse.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
