Terry O'Neill (photographer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terry O'Neill
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O'Neill in Oslo, 2016
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| Born |
Terence Patrick O'Neill
30 July 1938 Romford, Essex, England
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| Died | 16 November 2019 (aged 81) London, England
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| Occupation | Photographer |
| Spouse(s) |
Vera Day
(m. 1963; div. 1976)Laraine Ashton
(m. 2001) |
| Children | 3 |
Terence Patrick O'Neill (born July 30, 1938 – died November 16, 2019) was a famous British photographer. He was best known for taking pictures of the fashion, styles, and celebrities of the 1960s. O'Neill's photos often showed people naturally or in unusual places.
His amazing work has been shown in many art exhibits. In 2004, he received a special award from the Royal Photographic Society. He also won their Centenary Medal in 2011. His photographs are kept in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Contents
Terry O'Neill's Life and Work
Early Life and Career Start
Terry O'Neill was born in Romford, England. His parents were from Ireland. He started his career working for an airline at London's Heathrow Airport. His job was in the photography department.
One day, he took a picture of a sleeping man in the waiting area. It turned out the man was Rab Butler, an important government official. After this, O'Neill got a job at The Daily Sketch newspaper in 1959. His very first professional assignment was to photograph the famous actor Laurence Olivier.
Photographing Celebrities and Royals
During the 1960s, O'Neill became very popular. He photographed many famous people of that time. These included music legends like Judy Garland, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
He also took pictures of members of the British royal family and important politicians. His photos showed a more human and natural side of these well-known figures. He liked to capture them honestly or in unexpected settings.
Famous Photographs
O'Neill's pictures of singer Elton John are some of his most well-known. Many of them were put into a book called Eltonography in 2008.
Another very famous series of photos is of American actress Faye Dunaway. These pictures were taken on March 29, 1977. They show her relaxing by a swimming pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel. This was the morning after she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the movie Network. In the photos, newspapers are scattered around her, and her Oscar award is clearly visible next to her breakfast. He took these photos in both color and black and white.
Terry O'Neill's Personal Life
Terry O'Neill was married to actress Vera Day for 13 years. They had two children together, Keegan Alexander and Sarah Jane.
He also had a long relationship with actress Faye Dunaway. They were married for four years in the 1980s. They had a son named Liam. In 2001, O'Neill married Laraine Ashton, who used to work as a model agency executive.
Terry O'Neill passed away on November 16, 2019, at his home in London. He was 81 years old.
Exhibitions and Books
Art Exhibitions
Terry O'Neill's photographs have been shown in many important art exhibitions around the world. Some of these include:
- Terry O'Neill: Celebrity, at the National Portrait Gallery, London, in 2003 and 2004.
- Photographs by Terry O'Neill, at the San Francisco Art Exchange, in 2005.
- Terry O'Neill: Stars, at Fotografiska in Stockholm, in 2022.
Books Featuring His Work
Many books have been published that feature Terry O'Neill's incredible photographs. Some of these include:
- Legends. Published in 1985.
- Celebrity. Published in 2003.
- Eltonography: Sir Elton John a Life in Pictures. Published in 2008.
- Terry O'Neill's Rock 'n' Roll Album. Published in 2014.
- Bowie by O'Neill: The definitive collection with unseen images. Published in 2019.
Honours and Awards
Terry O'Neill received several important awards and honours for his contributions to photography:
- 2004: He was given an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Photographic Society.
- 2011: He received the Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal.
- 2019: He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This is a high honour given for services to photography.
Collections
Terry O'Neill's work is part of the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery, London. As of July 2022, they hold 80 of his prints.
