Famous cinematographer John Bailey died on Friday in Los Angeles from an undisclosed illness at 81 years old. Bailey was well known for his work in Ordinary People and the Academy.

John Bailey’s career spanned five decades, with movies such as Silverado, The Big Chill, The Accidental Tourist, Groundhog Day, In the Line of Fire, As Good as It Gets, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Must Love Dogs. Bailey gained recognition through Robert Redford’s Ordinary People, which won four Oscars in 1981. He was the first cinematographer to be an Academy governor and serve two terms as its president from 2017-2019. 

John Bailey held distinguished roles in the American Society of Cinematographers as secretary and vice president. Additionally, he assumed the responsibilities of vice president and chair of the Preservation and History Committee, where he represented the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on the esteemed Library of Congress’s National Film Preservation Board.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang have expressed sadness over this loss. “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 in 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.”

Carol Littleton, Bailey’s wife, stated with profound sorrow, “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.”

Instead of flowers, Bailey’s family requested donations made to the Academy Foundation.