Allen Daviau Known as Oscar-Nominated 'ET' Cinematographer Dies of COVID-19 at 77

Allen Daviau, who had his start as an Oscar-nominated cinematographer working alongside Stephen Spielberg, passed away at the age of 77 after suffering complications due to the novel coronavirus.

Allen produced some of the most iconic film images in our time, but sadly his time on this earth came to an end when he died in Woodland Hills, California, on Wednesday due to complications related to COVID-19.

THE LOSS OF A LEGEND

The Oscar-nominated cinematographer's talent agent, Karin Martin, shared the news with CNN. A statement from Bob Beitcher, CEO and president of the Motion Picture and Television Fund CEO and president - where Allen lived also confirmed the news.

RIP Allen Daviau, my friend of almost 60 years, cinematographer and bon vivant, dining companion extraordinaire, pure soul, who left us last night at the MPTF Hospital, his longtime home, after contracting COVID-19. Salut, mon ami," Colman Andrews wrote in tribute to his dear friend.

AN OSCAR NOMINATED CINEMATOGRAPHER

Allen earned Oscar nominations for his work on films including "Empire of the Sun," "Bugsy," "Avalon," "The Color Purple," and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." and Bob said that they will always remember him as "a master of light and a connoisseur of the science and magic of film."

Born in New Orleans on June 14, 1942, and raised in Los Angeles, Allen frequently collaborated with director Steven Spielberg after the pair first met in 1967.

STEPHEN SPIELBERG PAYS TRIBUTE

"In 1968, Allen and I started our careers side by side with the short film AMBLIN'," Steven wrote in a statement. "Allen was a wonderful artist, but his warmth and humanity were as powerful as his lens. He was a singular talent and a beautiful human being."

ALLEN'S EARLIER YEARS

In the years before meeting Stephen, Allen took official pictures for The Monkees and shot music videos for Jimi Hendrix and The Who.

Apart from his work with Stephen, the 77-year-old also worked on blockbuster films such as "The Astronaut's Wife," Defending Your Life," and "Van Helsing." and received his Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers in 2007.

Allen became a resident of the Motion Picture and Television Fund in 2012 after he had surgery that put him in a wheelchair - and is the fourth resident of the facility to have contracted the virus.

Sadly, another man who knew his way around a camera on the set of "Good Morning America," Tony Greer, also recently passed away after contracting COVID-19.

Tony became a well-liked camera operator at the show's Time Square studio, and he worked there for over six years before his death earlier this month.