Allen Daviau, Oscar-nominated cinematographer of ‘ET’ and ‘Empire of the Sun’, dies at 77 of coronavirus
Cinematographer Allen Daviau, a five-time Academy Award nominee for 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' and 'Empire of the Sun' died at the age of 77 on Wednesday in Los Angeles, California.
Writer and food editor Colman Andrews wrote on Twitter, "RIP Allen Daviau, my friend of almost 60 years, cinematographer and bon vivant, five-time Academy Award nominee, dining companion extraordinaire, pure soul, who left us last night at the MPTF Hospital, his longtime home, after contracting COVID-19. Salut, mon ami.”
The cinematographer is the fourth resident at the MPTF facility to pass from the virus.
Steven Spielberg, with whom Daviau worked with on multiple projects, said in a statement according to a report in Variety, "In 1968, Allen and I started our careers side by side with the short film Amblin. Allen was a wonderful artist but his warmth and humanity were as powerful as his lens. He was a singular talent and a beautiful human being."
Daviau's death was announced by the President of the American Society of Cinematographers, Kees van Oostrum who said in the statement, "It is with great regret and sadness that I have to announce the passing last night of my friend and a great member of the society, Mr. Allen Daviau, ASC. Allen started his career shooting the early movies of Stephen Spielberg, including Amblin (1968), and went on to an impressive career as a cinematographer with movies that have deeply inspired us all. He was honored with five Academy Award nominations, was bestowed our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and won our Outstanding ASC Achievement in Cinematography for Bugsy (1991) and Empire of the Sun (1987). He amassed an impressive body of work: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), The Color Purple (1985), and Avalon (1990), just to mention a few."
"Allen was active in our society in many ways like chairing our membership committee for several years,” van Oostrum said. “Also, his commitment to teaching our craft and being very accessible for young cinematographers will forever be engraved in our memories. He will be remembered fondly for his sense of humor, his taste for the best of foods and his laugh that unmistakably marked his presence from far away."
Van Oostrum concluded, "Allen was 77 years old and I am proud that we were able to host him during our 100-year celebration last year. He told me then that it was for him 'one of the best of gifts life had to offer.' His smile that evening was affectionate and many of us were able to pay him respect. You will be missed so much, dear Allen."