British movie icon Dick Pope dies aged 77 as Tom Hardy pays tribute to ‘beautiful good friend and all spherical legend’

Cinematographer Dick Pope has died aged 77.

The British film icon and double Oscar nominee was known for his work on films including Mr Turner, The Illusionist and Secrets & Lies. 

His death was confirmed in a statement from the British Society of Cinematographers on Wednesday, which read: ‘It is with deepest 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 that Dick worked with throughout the years included Willem Dafoe, Beetlejuice‘s Alec Baldwin and The Glass Onion star Edward Norton.  

Cinematographer Dick Pope, has died, aged 77. The British film icon and double Oscar nominee was known for his work on films including Mr Turner and Secrets & Lies

His death was confirmed in a statement from the British Society of Cinematographers on Wednesday (Pictured in 2018)

He wrote: ‘Dick Pope, British Cinematographer, lovely friend and all round legend. Aug 1947 October 2024.’ 

Pope was best known for his long collaboration with director and writer Mike Leigh, working together on 11 films including their debut together on 1990’s Life is Sweet. 

His final credit is on 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 production on the movie. 

Speaking about his friend and collaborator in 2019 Leigh said: ‘The thing about working with the same cinematographer over a long stretch… A violinist who owns a Stradivarius is not going to arbitrarily use another fiddle. That is the tool and you can play anything with it. So that’s how I feel.’ 

The statement announcing Pope’s death added: ‘Dick had a reputation for being a wonderful collaborator and someone who was passionate about the art form of cinematography.

‘He was keen to embrace new technologies and ideas while also ensuring the skills and crafts of those that came before him weren’t lost.’ 

The statement announcing his death read: ‘It is with deepest sadness that we learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Dick Pope BSC’ (Pictured with Alec Baldwin on the set of Motherless Brooklyn in 2019)

The statement announcing Dick’s death added: ‘Dick had a reputation for being a wonderful collaborator (Pictured in 2019)

Pope was nominated for an Oscar for his work on Leigh’s 2014 film Mr Turner. He also received a nomination for 2006’s The Illusionist. 

He began his career in television, working on ITV current affairs programme World In Action. 

During the eighties Pope worked on some of the decade’s best known music videos including Iron Maiden’s Women In Uniform, Madness’ It Must Be Love and Queen’s I Want To Break Free.

The late cinematographer was famously referred to as ‘Dick Poop’ at an Oscars nomination presentation back in 2015.

He released a response to the mispronunciation of his name just hours after Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) president Cheryl Boone Isaacs incorrectly read his nod for Best Achievement in Cinematography at the 87th annual Academy Awards in Beverly Hills.

He told USA Today: ‘You know what, I have been called a lot worse in my time.’

Pope continued: ‘I don’t think twice about anything like that. I am happy to be nominated. We’re all very happy. It’s wonderful news. 

‘But I represent a whole company and the whole film. I represent the people who work on it. We are all very pleased. Delighted.’ 

The late cinematographer was famously referred to as ‘Dick Poop’ at an Oscars nomination presentation back in 2015 (Pictured with Edward Norton in 2019)

He also shared that he received quite a bit of reaction from his friends and co-workers. 

‘You don’t need to explain it to me. I have had it explained one hundred times,’ Pope added.

‘I feel sorry for the lady who made the mispronunciation. I have never been on Twitter and I don’t know what trending means.

‘I am completely naive. All I know is that I have a lot of emails here saying I am trending on Twitter. 

‘They might as well be saying I am landing on the moon, as far as I am concerned.’

Pope is survived by his wife Pat. 

Other stars that Dick worked with throughout the years included Willem Dafoe, Beetlejuice’s Alec Baldwin and The Glass Onion star Edward Norton (Pictured with Willem in 2019)

Dick previously shared that he received quite a bit of reaction from his friends and co-workers when referred to as Dick Poop (Pictured in 2019)