Former Academy President John Bailey Dies at 81

Vanessa Obioha

A former president of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), John Bailey, passed away on Friday, November 10. His death was announced by his wife Carol Littleton in a statement released by the Academy.

“It is with deep sadness I share with you that my best friend and husband, John Bailey, passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning,” the statement read.
“During John’s illness, we reminisced about how we met 60 years ago and were married for 51 of those years. We shared a wonderful life of adventure in film and made many long-lasting friendships along the way. John will forever live in my heart.”

Bailey, a renowned cinematographer, was the first president of the body which organises the annual Academy Awards (the Oscars), who emerged from the camera crew. He was president from 2017 to 2019, succeeding Cheryl Boone Isaacs who pushed for diversity in the academy membership. Under Bailey’s tenure, the Academy witnessed a notable push for inclusivity, with initiatives aimed at broadening its membership. One of the impactful outcomes was the inclusion of Nigerian creatives, like the renowned filmmaker Femi Odugbemi, as a voting member of the academy.

He was first elected to the Academy Board of Governors in 1996 and then was re-elected in 1999, serving until 2002. He would return to the board in 2010, again in 2013 and once more in 2016.

“All of us at the Academy are deeply saddened to learn of John’s passing,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “John was a passionately engaged member of the Academy and the film community. He served as our President and as an Academy governor for many years and played a leadership role on the Cinematographers Branch. His impact and contributions to the film community will forever be remembered. Our thoughts and support are with Carol at this time.”

Born August 10, 1942, Bailey’s career spanned nearly five decades. He first began working in show business in 1971 as an assistant cameraman on Monte Hellman’s “Two Lane Blacktop.” His first credit as a cinematographer came in 1972 on Alan Rudolph’s “Premonition.”

Other films he worked on include “Groundhog Day,” “Ordinary People,” “The Big Chill,” “Silverado,” “The Accidental Tourist,” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” among others.

Bailey was aged 81.