Veteran cinematographer John Bailey, whose two terms as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences included grappling with the industry’s response to the #MeToo movement and who worked on such films as “Ordinary People” and “Groundhog Day” has died of an unspecified illness. He was 81.
“It is with deep sadness I share with you that my best friend and husband, John Bailey, passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning,” his wife Carol Littleton, an Oscar-nominated film editor and former Academy governor, said in a statement Friday. “During John’s illness, we reminisced [about] how we met 60 years ago and were married for 51 of those years. We shared a wonderful life of adventure in film and made many long-lasting friendships along the way. John will forever live in my heart.”
Bailey served as Academy president 2017-2019 and was the first cinematographer to hold the position. He had been a member of the Academy’s Cinematographers Branch since 1981 and also served as an Academy governor for 15 years.
“All of us at the Academy are deeply saddened to learn of John’s passing,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “John was a passionately engaged member of the Academy and the film community. He served as our President and as an Academy governor for many years and played a leadership role on the Cinematographers Branch. His impact and contributions to the film community will forever be remembered. Our thoughts and support are with Carol at this time.”
Bailey, who was born in Moberly, Missouri, began his career as an assistant cinematographer on the 1971 film “Two Lane Blacktop.”
His other credits include “The Big Chill,” “Silverado,” “The Accidental Tourist,” “In the Line of Fire,” “As Good as It Gets,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.”
Bailey also directed five movies including 1991’s “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” a filmed version of Lily Tomlin’s one-woman show, and the “NSync: Bigger Than Live” concert film in 2001.
Shortly after taking over as Academy president, The New York Times and The New Yorker published articles detailing allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, which opened the floodgates of similar accusations involving other powerful people in the entertainment industry
The Oscar-winning Weinstein was ultimately expelled from the Academy, leading to calls for other similarly accused members to be kicked out as well.
At the time, Bailey issued a memo to members saying, in part, that the Academy “cannot, and will not, be an inquisitorial court, but we can be a part of a larger initiative to define standards of behavior and to support the vulnerable women and men who may be at personal and career risk because of violations of ethical standards by their peers.”
The Academy later adopted a code of conduct for its members and also ousted members Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski, both of whom have been accused of rape.
Bailey is survived by Littleton. The Academy said a memorial service will be held at a future date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Academy Foundation — 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, Calif. 90211-1972 — in memory of John Bailey.