Haskell Wexler Dead At 93; Cinematographer-Oscar Awardee Cause Of Death Determined?
The Oscars award winner and famous Hollywood cinematographer, Haskell Wexler peacefully passed away at the age of 93 in his sleep as his son, Jeff Wexler told the The Associated Press, according to NPR.
He is known for his works such as "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Bound for Glory." He also took photos from socially influenced movies in 1960s and 70s such as "Coming Home" of Jane Fonda-Jon Voight, "In the Heat of the Night" by Sidney Poitier-Rod Steiger and Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" that won an Oscar award.
The son of the liberal activist said after a few hours his father died in Santa Monica that, "His real passion was much larger than just making movies," according to Los Angeles Times.
"His real passion was for human beings and justice and peace," the statement continued.
When the known cinematographer Haskell Wexler was 89 years old, he oftens visit the Occupy L.A.gathering in 2011 at the City Hall. It was reported that he was interested to the causes of political theater economic justice along with his affinity to the protesters despite of his Hollywood lifestyle.
His son said, "He was a wonderful father," according to USA Today.
"I owe most of who I am to his wisdom and guidance," the statement continued.
The Oscar-award winning cinematographer, Haskell Wexler was also a visual consultant for "American Graffiti" of George Lucas where he showered the streets with water to create a moody effect. He also gave a dreamlike vibe to "Days of Heaven" of Terence Malick.
His 1969 "Medium Cool" was a dramatic documentary about Robert Forster, a fictional TV photographer who reports about the violent events between 1968 Democratic National Convention protester and the Chicago police. The real time event "cinema verite" recording has become a material for studies of the aspiring moviemakers.
He shared to a reporter, "I was under surveillance for the entire seven weeks I was in Chicago, by the police, the Army and the Secret Service," according to USA Today.
