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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Owen Roizman dead: The Exorcist cinematographer dies as tributes are paid

Five-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Owen Roizman has died at the age of 86.

Following a long illness, he died at his home in California, US, on Friday. He had been in hospice care since August.

The cinematographer was behind classic film The Exorcist and also worked on The French Connection and Network.

He received an Academy Honorary Award six years ago for his contribution to American cinema.

According to American Cinematographer's Instagram post which paid tribute to him, he passed away before the weekend.

He died at his home on Friday, the post read (WireImage)
The American Society of Cinematographers reported his passing on social media (AFP via Getty Images)

The magazine added it is preparing a 'full memorial' for respected Roizman.

"We are very sorry to hear that cinematographer Owen Roizman, ASC has died at the age of 86 following a long illness," they posted.

"Nominated five times for his camerawork, he was presented in 2017 with an honorary Academy Award for his contributions to cinema."

The cinematographer also brought to life hit films Tootsie and Wyatt Earp.

He also collaborated with director Sydney Pollack for films like Three Days of the Condor and Absence of Malice.

He helped to bring The Exorcist and many other films to life (Daily Record)

He grew up dreaming of being a sports star, and had trials for the New York Yankees.

Starting out as an assistant to legendary cinematographer Gerald Hirschfield, he made his feature film debut behind the lens in 1970's movie Stop.

Roizman told Variety back in 2017 about his first steps to creating his career in the industry.

“When I went to school, I was best in math and physics, but when I went to job interviews my senior year and asked how much money I could make [in those fields], it wasn’t very exciting,” he says.

“So I asked my father how much I could make as an assistant cameraman, and it was a lot more than a physicist or a mathematician, so I figured, ‘I’m going for the money!’”

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