British film legend Dick Pope nominated for two Oscars dies aged 77 as Tom Hardy leads tributes

BRITISH film icon Dick Pope has sadly died aged 77 as Tom Hardy leads tributes.

The legendary cinematographer, nominated for two Oscars, was known for his work on films including Mr Turner, The Illusionist and Secrets & Lies.

The news of his death was confirmed in a statement from the British Society of Cinematographers.

It read: “It is with deepest sadness that we learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Dick Pope BSC.

“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.”

In a touching tribute, actor Tom Hardy wrote on Instagram: "Dick Pope British Cinematographer lovely friend and all round legend. Aug 1947 October 2024."

Pope sadly leaves behind his wife, Pat.

The cinematographer was recognised for his work with Mike Leigh, and the pair collaborated on 11 films, with their debut together on 1990’s Life is Sweet.

They were also credited on Naked, Secrets & Lies, Another Year, Peterloo and Vera Drake.

Mike said in 2019: “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.”

Pope was nominated for an Oscar to celebrate his work on the period drama Mr Turner.

His second was for the 2006 mystery The Illusionist.

The cinematographer was also credited on The Way of the Gun, Me and Orson Welles and Motherless Brooklyn.

He worked with industry giants such as directors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gurinder Chadha and Barry Levinson.

Pope's final credit is on Mikes' new film, Hard Truths.

Mike revealed in an interview that Pope had undergone “major heart surgery” before production.

Tribute have poured in since news of Pope's death broke.

"RIP Dick Pope, the gifted cinematographic artist whose work I’ll always cherish in the great films of Mike Leigh," wrote one fan.

Another added: "RIP Dick Pope Mike Leigh’s right hand man whose loose & naturalistic shooting style could also be expressionistic and haunting as in his masterpiece, Naked. Just check out his filmography & make your way through it. An awful loss for cinema."

"I interviewed Dick Pope a couple times at Camerimage over the years and never forgot how charismatic, incisive, and kind he was, the sort of person who stops a publicist because he wanted to keep talking with me," said someone else.

A fourth wrote: "Hearing about the death of Dick Pope is a shot to the heart, especially after seeing Hard Truths on Sunday.

"His collaboration with Mike Leigh was one of cinema’s finest. I interviewed him at the BFI Stephen Street in 2019 and he had such a wit, he really made me smile and laugh."