Tom Neuwirth, the director of photography who worked alongside his wife, the director of television in history Karen Arthur, on episodes of CAGNY & LACEY And many other projects are dead. He was 78 years old.
Neuwirth died on June 29 at his home in Manhattan, said Craig Anderson, friend and producer, (they worked on six films together). No cause of death has been revealed.
For four decades, “Neuwirth’s career was defined by his extraordinary eye to capture emotion, character and place – whether through the lens of his camera or cockpit of his own plane,” noted Anderson. “He won his pilot license in high school and found joy and freedom to fly throughout his life. This same spirit guided his work behind the camera: daring, precise and always looking for a new perspective. ”
The survivors include his 41 -year -old wife, Arthur, who became the first woman to receive an Emmy during prime time for the exceptional staging for a dramatic series when she won in 1985 for having directed the CAGNY & LACEY The episode of fourth season “Heat”, which presented a tour of the guests by a young Michael Madsen.
Her husband was the director of photography for this episode and five others made by Arthur during this 1984-1985 season.
“We fell madly in love with the first show we made together, which was” Heat “,” said Arthur in an episode in 2023 of the TV ladies of the 80s podcast. “And we made all my films, his films, our films, from CAGNY & LACEY on set. “”
Born in the Bronx, Neuwirth was a photographic apprentice in New York before opening his own studio and moving to Hollywood after an assignment of photos in Puerto Rico ignited his passion for cinema.
Start as a camera assistant on films such as Russ Meyer Supervixens (1975), he qualified for the operator as helicopter cameras on Ted Kotcheff’s First blood (1982) and director of photography of the second unit on J. Lee Thompson Death Wish 4: repression (1987).
Neuwirth drew 18 of the 22 episodes of CAGNY & LACEY During its fourth season, which culminated with the program winning six Emmys, including its first exceptional dramatic series and the trophy presented to Arthur. (In the episode “Heat”, Mary Beth by Tyne Daly is taken hostage in a railway by a psychopathic teenager portrayed by Madsen.)
Over the years, Neuwirth has also brought its visual narration to acclaimed productions such as the ABC mini-series of five hours 1992 Jacksons: an American dream; The CBS 1997 mini-series Real womenwith Dana Delary and Angelina Jolie; The CBS 1998 TV movie The staircasewith Barbara Hershey; and the PBS 2001 TV movie The Alouette songWith Maximilian Schell. (All were led by Arthur.)
“When we started together, most people, like agents and producers,” said [their business relationship] would never work. We could argue, but it was never a problem. It has always been a professional, “said Neuwirth in 2012.
“When we look at a rehearsal, we look at and communicate with movements and subtle declarations, and this allows Karen to focus more on the situation as a whole.”
Neuwirth and his wife also lived in the Bahamas, where they co -founded island films; Their 2008-12 documentary series Bahamas artistsWho was presented at first at the Bahamas International Film Festival, highlighted some of the country’s main visual artists.
“Make a lot of films,” he often told young filmmakers. “With everyone, you make mistakes and continue to improve.”
In addition to Arthur, the survivors include his son, Adam, and his twin sister, Hilary. A private memorial will take place. Instead of flowers, donations in his memory can be made at the Make-A-Wish of America Foundation.
