Owen Roizman, an Oscar-nominated cinematographer whose work was featured in films such as The French Connection and The Exorcist, has died. He was 86.
The revelation was confirmed by the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), of which Roizman was a member and president from 1997 to 1998.
Where will Owen Roizman be buried? Burial site and Find a Grave details
“We are very sorry to hear that cinematographer Owen Roizman, ASC has died at the age of 86 following a long illness,” this was posted on Instagram.
During his career, Roizman was nominated for five Academy Awards. His first nomination came for his work on The French Connection alongside William Friedkin.
In a 2011 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Roizman recalled how he landed the position working with Friedkin. Although The French Connection was only his second film, Friedkin had seen his earlier work on Stop.
Roizman was born in New York City on September 22, 1936, and reared in Brooklyn. He intended to be a baseball player as a boy and even tried out for the New York Yankees, but he had polio during his adolescence. His father worked as a cameraman for Movietone News before working as an assistant to cinematographer Gerald Hirschfeld at MPO Videotronics.
Other films in which he has appeared include The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (1971), Herbert Ross’ Play It Again, Sam (1972), Elaine May’s The Heartbreak Kid (1972), and Barry Sonnenfeld’s The Addams Family (1972).
At the time of this publication, Owen Roizman’s burial site hasn’t been disclosed by the family. You’ll be informed when the family reveals it. Our condolences go to the family and loved ones.
