Oscar-Winning 'Lord of the Rings' DP Dies Suddenly of Heart Attack

Variety is reporting that Lord of the Rings' DP (Director of Photography), Andrew Lesnie, just passed away on Monday at the age of 59. The Sydney-born Aussie was Peter Jackson's DP on all of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Babe, among other things.  

Ironically, Babe  was his 'breakout' production, since, according to Jackson, it's how he got hired for LOTR. 

In a 2004 interview with Digital Producer Magazine, Jackson stated, 

"I’d never worked with [Lesnie] or even met him before, but he’d shot the Babe films and I thought they looked amazing ... Babe had that larger-than-life feel about it that I wanted." 

He won his Oscar for The Fellowship of the Ring, which is a great example of this superb cinematographer's work.  It's tragic to see his successful career cut short but, fortunately, it will stand the test of time and can be enjoyed for years to come. 

What is your favorite of Lesnie's work?  Let us know in the comments section - thanks!