November 11th 2023.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of John Bailey, a Hollywood cinematographer and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was 81 years old.
John's wife, Carol Littleton, released a statement expressing her grief, "It is with deep sadness that I share with you that my best friend and husband, John Bailey, passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning. We had the privilege of being married for 51 years and shared a wonderful life of adventure in film. He will forever live in my heart."
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expressed their sorrow at the news of his passing. Bill Kramer and Janet Yang, the organization's Chief Executive and President, respectively, wrote in a statement, "John was a passionately engaged member of the Academy and the film community. He served as our president and as an Academy governor for many years and played a leadership role on the cinematographers branch. His impact and contributions to the film community will forever be remembered. Our thoughts and support are with Carol at this time."
John Bailey's career spanned from 1971, when he began working as an assistant cameraman on the film Two Lane Blacktop, to his most recent projects, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. During this time, he collaborated with some of the most renowned directors in the industry, including Robert Redford, James L. Brooks, Wolfgang Petersen, and Harold Ramis.
In 1985, he earned recognition for best artistic contribution at the Cannes Film Festival for his work on Paul Schrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters. He also worked on films such as Groundhog Day, Ordinary People, As Good as it Gets, In the Line of Fire, Racing With the Moon, The Big Chill, Silverado, and The Accidental Tourist.
John Bailey served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 2017-2019. He was elected the 36th president of the Academy and, at the time, said, “I love the Academy. I’ve been a member since 1981 and I just found myself slowly over the years becoming more engaged with a lot of the Academy’s programs and initiatives. It seemed like a natural development.”
At the 2018 Oscars luncheon, he proclaimed: “I may be a 75-year-old white male, but I’m every bit as gratified as the youngest of you here that the fossilised bedrock of many of Hollywood’s worst abuses are being jackhammered into oblivion.”
John Bailey is survived by his wife, Carol Littleton, a renowned editor and former Academy governor, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work on E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
His impact on the film industry will be remembered and his legacy will carry on in the hearts of all who knew him.
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