SYDNEY, April 28 (UPI) -- The international film community is grieving the loss of Andrew Lesnie, the cinematographic master behind The Lord of the Rings and The Water Diviner, who died Monday from a heart attack.
The 59-year-old filmmaker started out as an assistant camera operator in the late '70s and worked in the industry for almost 40 years. Lesnie partnered most recently with Russell Crowe, who called him, "The master of the light," in a tweet after receiving the news. In 2002, Lesnie won the Academy Award for best cinematography for The Fellowship of the Ring. He also worked on the Hobbit films, I Am Legend and two Babe films, among many more.
The Australian Cinematographers Society confirmed his death on Tuesday. "We have been advised of the sudden death of Andrew," said a spokesman. Lesnie's family is expected to release a statement regarding his death in the near future.
We lost one of the greats in film today, Andrew Lesnie. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) April 28, 2015Six Lord of the Rings movies, two Babe films, The Water Diviner and many more: RIP Andrew Lesnie, one of Australia's finest cinematographers
Advertisement— Luke Buckmaster (@lukebuckmaster) April 28, 2015
