April 25, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

‘In The Heat Of The Night,’ ‘Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf’ Cinematographer Haskell Wexler Dies

Cinematographer Haskell Wexler arrives at the Clarity Theater for the 9th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival opening night gala in 2009  (Thinkstock: Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images).
Cinematographer Haskell Wexler arrives at the Clarity Theater for the 9th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival opening night gala in 2009 (Thinkstock: Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images).

Legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler, who photographed some of the most acclaimed films of his era won two Oscars for his work behind the camera, died today at the age of 93, according to his son.

Wexler died in his sleep at Santa Monica’s Providence Saint John Health Center, his son Jeff Wexler told the Hollywood Reporter.

“It is with great sadness that I have to report that my father, Haskell Wexler, has died,” Jeff Wexler wrote on his website. “Pop died peacefully in his sleep, Sunday, December 27th, 2015. Accepting the Academy Award in 1967, pop said: ‘I hope we can use our art for peace and for love.’ An amazing life has ended but his commitment to fight the good fight, for peace, for all humanity, will carry on.”

Haskell Wexler won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for 1966’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and again for 1976’s “Bound For Glory.” He was also the cinematographer on 1975’s Best Picture winner “One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest”  and 1967’s winner, “In the Heat of the Night.”

In addition to his prolific career as a cinematographer, Wexler will be remembered for writing, producing and directing 1969’s “Medium Cool,” a drama starring Robert Forster as a cameraman who gets involved with a woman and her son. The film was shot in a documentary style and used real footage shot by Wexler of the riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago that summer. It earned a cult following and is considered way ahead of its time in the way it mixed fact and fiction.

Wexler was born in 1922 in Chicago. He attended UC Berkeley, then made documentary and educational films in Chicago for 10 years before coming to Hollywood.

In his later years Wexler working mostly in documentaries, many with political themes.

He is survived by sons Jeff and Mark Wexler, who both work in films, and third wife Rita Taggart, an actress and cinematographer.

Related Posts

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Drops New Double A-Side Ahead of U.S. Tour

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Legendary Psych-Rockers Set April 25 Release and Fall North American Tour The Brian Jonestown Massacre is set to release a...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Go Go Bird Teams Up with Chef Chris Oh for Korean-Inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Crispy, Saucy, Spicy: Chris Oh’s Fried Chicken Sandwich Lands in Culver City Go Go Bird, located in Culver City’s Citizen...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...

Skip Traffic, Relax, Catch a Vibe: Midweek Sunset Party Lands on the Westside

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

DJ Jason Bentley, Mocktails, Games, Food Trucks, Light Up Fox Hills Commuters looking to escape rush hour gridlock on Thursday,...

Representative Brad Sherman in Person at CSUN Town Hall This Weekend

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Constituents of California’s 32nd District Invited to an In-Person Q&A Session U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman will hold an in-person town...

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/1DP3ZKbfDt pic.twitter.com/OVvHuTjETC — CCNewsLA (@CCWNNews) April 23, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Offers Summer Camps, Programs

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles is hosting several summer camps for teenagers and kids, providing practical training in...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Academy Announces Major Changes for 98th Oscars, Including AI Rules and New Casting Award

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Academy Now Requires Viewing All Nominees to Cast Final Ballots The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled...

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...