Jeff Darling, Australian cinematographer and director known for his work on Young Einstein and The passage in his home country and in dozens of advertisements made around the world, has died. He was 60 years old.
Darling died while surfing at North Palm Beach in Sydney on Sunday. He was taken by rescuers from the unconscious ocean and paramedics were unable to revive him, according to local media.
Darling became the youngest person to win the Australian Film Institute’s Best Film Achievement award for his work on George Ogilvie. The passage (1990), starring Russell Crowe. He had been nominated for the same award for Young Einstein (1988), starring and directed by Yahoo Serious.
He also directed music videos for the Crowded House songs “Not the Girl You Think You Are” and “Instinct” in 1996.
Darling had recently completed principal photography for the film He went that waya true crime story of a serial killer and his chimp that stars Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto.
Darling has directed and shot over 150 commercials for brands such as Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, GMC, Jose Cuervo, Qantas, Diners Club, Pernod Ricard, Maybelline, Coca-Cola and BMW. His work for Jaguar and Boeing Co. is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
“We are devastated by the passing of Jeff Darling,” Liz Silver, CEO of Believe Media, said in a statement. “We’ve filmed hundreds of jobs with him all over the world – it’s been a gift to witness his artistry and dedication to telling impactful stories, but most of all to call him our dear friend. “
Executive producer Marc Benardout added, “A family man through and through, Jeff led with a gentle spirit and was loved by our crew and his crews. Jeff and I worked together for over 15 years – we worked closely together to nurture his career and feel the painful loss of a visionary talent and a friend who was so far ahead.
Darling was included in a showcase of new directors at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, and he received three honorary awards from Kodak during his career.
Survivors include his wife, Sarah, and children Imogen, Scout, Cooper, and Carson.
6:40 p.m. Corrected his age; Darling was 60, not 61.
