British film icon Dick Pope dies aged 77 as Tom Hardy pays tribute to ‘lovely friend and all round legend’
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Cameraman Dick Pope has died at the age of 77.
The British film icon and two-time Oscar nominee was known for his work on films such as Mr Turner, The Illusionist and Secrets & Lies.
His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement from the British Society of Cinematographers, which said: ‘It is with the greatest sadness that we learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Dick Pope BSC.’
Following the announcement, Tom Hardy, who worked with Dick on Legend, paid tribute on Instagram.
Other stars Dick worked with over the years include Willem Dafoe, Beetlejuice’s Alec Baldwin and The Glass Onion star Edward Norton.
Cinematographer Dick Pope has died at the age of 77. The British film icon and two-time Oscar nominee was known for his work on films such as Mr Turner and Secrets & Lies
His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement from the British Society of Cinematographers (pictured in 2018).
He wrote: ‘Dick Pope, British cinematographer, dear friend and all-round legend. August 1947 October 2024.’
Pope was best known for his long collaboration with director and writer Mike Leigh. His latest achievement is Leigh’s new film, Hard Truths, which premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival.
Leigh had said in an interview that Pope had undergone “major heart surgery” before the film’s production.
The statement announcing Pope’s death added: “Dick had a reputation as a great collaborator and someone who was passionate about the art form of cinematography.
‘He was keen to embrace new technologies and ideas while ensuring that the skills and crafts of those who came before him were not lost.’
The late cinematographer became known as ‘Dick Poop’ during an Oscar nomination presentation in 2015.
He issued a response to the mispronunciation of his name just hours after Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) President Cheryl Boone Isaacs mistakenly gave him the nod for Best at the 87th Annual Academy Awards in Beverly Hills. Achievement in Cinematography had read.
He told USA Today: “You know what, I’ve been called a lot worse in my time.”
Pope continued, “I don’t think twice about something like that. I’m happy to have been nominated. We are all very happy. It’s great news.
‘But I represent an entire company and the entire film. I represent the people who work on it. We are all very satisfied. Delighted.’
The statement announcing his death read: ‘It is with the utmost sadness that we learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Dick Pope BSC’ (Pictured with Alec Baldwin in 2019)
The statement announcing Dick’s death added: ‘Dick had a reputation for being a great employee (pictured in 2019)
The late cinematographer was also referred to as ‘Dick Poop’ during a 2015 Oscar nomination presentation (pictured with Edward Norton in 2019)
He also said that he received quite a few responses from his friends and colleagues.
‘You don’t have to explain it to me. I’ve had it explained a hundred times,” Pope added.
‘I feel sorry for the lady who made the wrong statement. I’ve never been on Twitter and I don’t know what trending means.
‘I’m completely naive. All I know is that I have a lot of emails here saying I’m trending on Twitter.
“As far as I’m concerned, they might as well say I’m landing on the moon.”
Pope is survived by his wife Pat.
Other stars Dick has worked with over the years include Willem Dafoe, Beetlejuice’s Alec Baldwin and The Glass Onion star Edward Norton (pictured with Willem in 2019)
Dick previously said he received quite a bit of backlash from his friends and colleagues when he was called Dick Poop (pictured in 2019)