We love anything Jaws-related here at Scream, but it’s been an unfortunate time to be a fan. Only two weeks ago we brought you the news that the movies first A.D. Tom Joyner had died at the age of 79.
Now it is our unfortunate duty to let you know that Bill Butler, responsible for the film’s impeccable cinematography, has passed away at the incredible age of 101.
Besides his work on Spielberg’s seminal killer shark flick, Butler has had an incredibly prolific career in Hollywood across six decades. 1975 would see one of the highest points, as Butler not only saw Jaws become a cultural phenomenon, but also garnered an Academy Award nomination for his work on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Following this, Butler worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest projects in the coming years, serving as cinematographer on Rocky II – IV, Grease and the legendary flop Can’t Stop the Music.
Horror fans can see Butler’s impeccable work not only in Jaws, but also the lush sequel Damien: Omen II. Perhaps Butler’s biggest claim to fame in the genre besides Jaws is his work on 1988’s Child’s Play, which introduced audiences to the now-iconic killer doll Chucky. Bill last worked in the genre with his final project, 2009’s Evil Angel
Butler is survived by his second wife Iris and his five daughters. He passed on April 6th 2023, just two days before his 102nd birthday.
Rest easy, Bill.
