Billy Williams (cinematographer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Williams
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| Born | 3 June 1929 Walthamstow, London, England
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| Died | May 2025 (aged 95) |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
Billy Williams (born June 3, 1929 – died May 2025) was a famous British cinematographer. A cinematographer is the person who is in charge of the camera and lighting on a film set. They help bring the director's vision to life by making sure every shot looks amazing.
Williams was known for his amazing work on movies like Women in Love (1969), On Golden Pond (1981), and especially Gandhi (1982). For Gandhi, he won a super important award called an Academy Award, which is one of the biggest honors in filmmaking!
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Becoming a Film Master
Billy learned about cameras from his dad, who was also named Billy. He worked with his father for four years. After that, he joined the RAF (Royal Air Force) as a photographer. When he left the RAF, he got a job at British Transport Films. Here, he filmed all sorts of cool things like trains, buses, and boats!
Filming Around the World
Later, Billy traveled to Iraq to film for an oil company. He even filmed the start of the movie The Exorcist there in 1973. During this time, he owned his very own Arriflex camera. He spent several years making documentaries, always hoping to work on bigger feature films.
Breaking into Movies
Before making feature films, Billy worked as a cameraman for commercials. This is where he met future famous directors like Ken Russell and John Schlesinger. In 1965, he shot his very first feature film as the director of photography. It was called San Ferry Ann. This was a big deal because he skipped some of the usual steps in becoming a cinematographer. He made several more films before working with Ken Russell on Billion Dollar Brain in 1967.
Life Beyond the Camera
Billy Williams even appeared in a couple of movies himself! You can spot him in a small role in The Wind and the Lion (1975). He also appeared with the singer and actress Cher in the 1987 movie Suspect.
Retirement and Recognition
Billy retired from filmmaking on New Year's Day in 1996. After retiring, he loved to travel and teach workshops about filmmaking. He was honored with the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2009. This is a special award given by the British King or Queen for great achievements. Billy is also featured in a book called Conversations with Cinematographers, which shares stories from top camera experts.
Billy Williams passed away in May 2025.
Famous Films Billy Williams Worked On
Here are some of the movies where Billy Williams was the cinematographer:
- 1965: San Ferry Ann
- 1967: Billion Dollar Brain
- 1968: 30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia
- 1968: The Magus
- 1969: Women in Love
- 1970: Tam-Lin
- 1971: Sunday Bloody Sunday
- 1972: Pope Joan
- 1973: The Glass Menagerie
- 1973: The Exorcist (opening scenes only)
- 1975: The Wind and the Lion
- 1976: Voyage of the Damned
- 1977: The Devil's Advocate
- 1978: The Silent Partner
- 1979: Going in Style
- 1981: On Golden Pond
- 1982: Gandhi
- 1983: The Survivors
- 1984: Ordeal by Innocence
- 1985: Dreamchild
- 1987: Suspect
- 1989: The Rainbow
- 1990: Stella
