Oscar-Winning Cinematographer Billy Williams Dies at Age 96

LONDON, United Kingdom — Billy Williams, the esteemed British cinematographer who won an Oscar for his work on Gandhi, has died at the age of 96. His passing was announced by British Cinematographer magazine, but the cause of death has not been disclosed.

Williams’ career spanned decades and included nominations for his work on Women in Love and On Golden Pond, the final film of actor Henry Fonda. The Camerimage Festival, dedicated to cinematography, expressed their sorrow on social media, noting his exceptional achievements in the field.

Williams was the director of photography for several notable films, including John Milius’ The Wind and the Lion (1975) and Stuart Rosenberg’s Voyage of the Damned (1976). He received recognition early in his career when he was hired for Ken Russell‘s Billion Dollar Brain (1967), launching a successful partnership that resulted in films like Women in Love (1969).

He once reflected on his experiences working with Russell, saying, “He was likely to ask for the sort of thing that hadn’t been done before … It was a great challenge.”

Filming Gandhi (1982) proved particularly demanding due to the harsh conditions in India. “It was obviously very hot and dusty,” Williams recalled in a 2020 interview. He faced health challenges during production, requiring medical treatment in the U.K. and resulting in cinematographer Ronnie Taylor stepping in during his absence.

Despite his setbacks, Williams returned to the film and ultimately shared the Oscar with Taylor. Taylor noted, “Richard Attenborough decided that if there were going to be any nominations, that Billy and I should share the credit.”

Williams was born on June 3, 1929, in Walthamstow, London. He began his career as an assistant to his father, a cinematographer, and later honed his craft working on documentaries and commercial projects before making his feature film debut.

Throughout his career, Williams was recognized with four BAFTA nominations and served as president of the British Society of Cinematographers from 1975 to 1977. He received lifetime achievement honors from both Camerimage and the British Society of Cinematographers, and was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2009.

“I feel I have been very lucky to have had a career in filmmaking, which has been the most satisfying, rewarding, exciting job I can imagine,” he said regarding his storied career.