Andrew Lesnie, the Oscar-winning Australian cinematographer who worked on all of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, has died following a heart attack. He was 59.
Lesnie won the Oscar for Best Cinematography in 2002 for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and won a BAFTA in 2004 for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
His many other credits included Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Lovely Bones, I Am Legend, King Kong, Babe and Babe: Pig in the City and Russell Crowe's recent directorial debut, The Water Diviner.
Crowe wrote on Twitter: "Devastating news from home. The master of the light, genius Andrew Lesnie has passed on."
Ron Johanson, the National President of the Australian Society of Cinematographers, wrote on Facebook: "Words cannot express the absolute feeling of loss, particularly for his immediate family.
"Andrew gave us many personal cinema moments, moments that will live with us forever, and yet he has been taken from us way too early, and we are now left with those memories."
Andrew Lesnie, by any measure 1 of the greatest cinematographer's 2 have lived. Gentle. Kind. A devastating loss. https://t.co/T62eiCHLPD
— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) April 28, 2015We lost one of the greats in film today, Andrew Lesnie. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) April 28, 2015Andrew Lesnie was a treat to work with. I am blown away by all he achieved. He'll be missed greatly. RIP
— Jamie Bell (@1jamiebell) April 28, 2015So saddened to hear about the passing of Andrew Lesnie. He was as charming and kind as he was talented. He really was one of a kind.
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) April 28, 2015Devastating news from home. The master of the light, genius Andrew Lesnie has passed on .
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) April 28, 2015