Internationally acclaimed cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, who lensed the landmark cinematic achievement Easy Rider and compiled more than 70 credits, has died at his home in Beverly Hills.
Kovacs, who died Sunday, was 74. The cause of death was not known as of press time.
One of Hollywood's most influential and respected directors of photography, Kovacs lensed Five Easy Pieces, Shampoo, Paper Moon, New York, New York, What's Up, Doc? Ghost Busters, My Best Friend's Wedding and Miss Congeniality.
"He was one of the great wave of cinematographers in the 1970s who basically changed the way movies had looked up until that time," said Richard Crudo, past president of the American Society of Cinematographers. "His roots were in the low-budget independent world, and he took a lot of that ethic to another level." Years later, he became a master of the high-gloss studio look. But no matter what he did, there was always a tremendous amount of heart in his work.
"He was loved by everyone at the ASC, and there are legions of students and young cinematographers who owe a tremendous debt to Laszlo's generosity of spirit."
ASC president Daryn Okada added that Kovacs had "incredible generosity to give back -- to students, to other cinematographers and to the ASC. Laszlo inspired me to do the same," Okada said. "It is a great loss, not just to cinematographers, but to anyone who has seen the movies he photographed."
The Hungary-born cinematographer never won an Oscar but carried during his career a remarkable story of courage that occurred 50 years ago during his country's revolution.
Kovacs was born to Imre and Julianna Kovacs and raised on a farm in Hungary when that country was isolated from the Western world, first by the Nazi occupation and later during the Cold War.
Kovacs, who died Sunday, was 74. The cause of death was not known as of press time.
One of Hollywood's most influential and respected directors of photography, Kovacs lensed Five Easy Pieces, Shampoo, Paper Moon, New York, New York, What's Up, Doc? Ghost Busters, My Best Friend's Wedding and Miss Congeniality.
"He was one of the great wave of cinematographers in the 1970s who basically changed the way movies had looked up until that time," said Richard Crudo, past president of the American Society of Cinematographers. "His roots were in the low-budget independent world, and he took a lot of that ethic to another level." Years later, he became a master of the high-gloss studio look. But no matter what he did, there was always a tremendous amount of heart in his work.
"He was loved by everyone at the ASC, and there are legions of students and young cinematographers who owe a tremendous debt to Laszlo's generosity of spirit."
ASC president Daryn Okada added that Kovacs had "incredible generosity to give back -- to students, to other cinematographers and to the ASC. Laszlo inspired me to do the same," Okada said. "It is a great loss, not just to cinematographers, but to anyone who has seen the movies he photographed."
The Hungary-born cinematographer never won an Oscar but carried during his career a remarkable story of courage that occurred 50 years ago during his country's revolution.
Kovacs was born to Imre and Julianna Kovacs and raised on a farm in Hungary when that country was isolated from the Western world, first by the Nazi occupation and later during the Cold War.
- 7/24/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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