Bill Butler–who served as cinematographer on such genre blockbusters as Jaws and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest–passed away earlier this week, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Butler would have turned 102 today.
Butler–born in Cripple Creek, Colo.–graduated with a degree in engineering from the University of Iowa, and started his career as a cameraman doing live shows and commercials in the early 1960s.
Butler worked with Steven Spielberg on 1975’s iconic Jaws–creating, among other shots, the early dawn shark attack that opens the film–and then was co-nominated for Best Cinematography for 1976’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Among Butler’s other genre work was cinematographer on the original Child’s Play, Anaconda, Deathmaster, Something Evil, Demon Seed, Damien: Omen II and the 1987 TV movie Bates Motel.
Butler is survived by his wife Iris and his five daughters.
The staff of Horror News Network extends its condolences to Butler’s family, friends and colleagues.
