Billy Williams, a celebrated Oscar-winning cinematographer, has passed away at the age of 96. The cause of his death has not been made public. His passing was announced in the latest issue of British Cinematographer magazine.
A Legendary Career in Film
Billy Williams was known for his work on famous films such as Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Exorcist, and On Golden Pond. He gained recognition for his creative and innovative style, especially in collaboration with director Ken Russell, also an Academy Award winner.
In a 2003 interview, Williams shared, “Working with Ken Russell was a great challenge because he often asked for things that hadn’t been done before. You had to find a way to make it happen.”
Academy Award for Gandhi
Williams is best known for his cinematography in Gandhi (1982), directed by Richard Attenborough. The film, starring Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi, told the story of the Indian leader’s fight for independence.
Gandhi was a major success, earning $127.8 million and winning eight Oscars out of eleven nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Cinematography for Williams.
Contributions Beyond Filmmaking
Besides his film work, Williams served as president of the British Society of Cinematographers and taught at the National Film Theatre. He was also honored as an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for his significant contributions to cinema.