ComingSoon.net is heartbroken to bring you the news (via The Playlist) that five-time Oscar nominee Allen Daviau, frequent collaborator of Steven Spielberg including on the iconic E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, has died at the age of 77 due to complications from COVID-19.
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R.I.P. legendary cinematographer and five-time Academy Award nominee #AllenDaviau known for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Empire of the Sun, The Color Purple and more. Died last night after contracting Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/hslavcVRoS
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylist) April 16, 2020
Daviau worked as a cinematographer on 47 different projects, one of his first being the Spielberg 1968 romantic short Amblin’, which began his working relationship with the three-time Oscar winner that would later include E.T. (his first Oscar nomination), Twilight Zone: The Movie, The Color Purple (his second nod), Empire of the Sun (his third nomination), and an episode of the original run of Amazing Stories.
In addition to his work with Spielberg, Daviau was known for lending his eye to John Schlesinger’s The Falcon and the Snowman, the cult classic family comedy Harry and the Hendersons, Barry Levinson’s Avalon and Bugsy, which earned him his fourth and fifth Oscar nominations, Peter Weir’s Fearless, Frank Marshall’s adaptation of the Michael Crichton novel Congo, the Johnny Depp-starrer The Astronaut’s Wife and Stephen Sommers’ Van Helsing. Some of his work off the big screen included music videos helmed by Michael Bay, including Faith HIll’s “There You’ll Be” and Meat Loaf’s “Object in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are,” as well as the David Fincher-directed music video for A Perfect Circle’s “Judith.”
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Many fans and collaborators have taken to Twitter to express their grief over Daviau’s death, some of which include:
Legendary Cinematographer Allen Daviau has sadly passed away from covid19.
I loved his beautiful work on such classics as “E.T.”, “The Color Purple”, “Empire Of The Sun” and “Bugsy”.
Thank you, Sir for all of your memorable and beloved cinematic images. pic.twitter.com/pQkKs9uk8I
— Jon Donahue (@JonDonahue) April 16, 2020
DOUBLE DAMMIT.
Cinematographer Allen Daviau lit ‘n lensed so many of my childhood dreams and nightmares.
Of all Daviau’s work, EMPIRE OF THE SUN may be my favorite of his.
One hell of a visual storyteller, his eye will be missed. #RIPAllenDaviau https://t.co/lmsL9TGAEw— Joe Lynch (@TheJoeLynch) April 16, 2020
RIP Allen Daviau, my friend of almost 60 years, cinematographer and bon vivant, five-time Academy Award nominee, dining companion extraordinaire, pure soul, who left us last night at the MPTF Hospital, his longtime home, after contracting COVID-19. Salut, mon ami.
— Colman Andrews (@Colmanandrews) April 16, 2020
Farewell, my friend. Our time in this world is short, but your images and inspiration are timeless. I will miss your exuberant spirit. #AllenDaviau,ASC pic.twitter.com/SJeA2XtGS4
— Michael Goi (@MichaelGoi) April 16, 2020
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
