John Bailey, who presided over the film academy during the initial #MeToo reckoning, dies at 81

John Bailey, the acclaimed cinematographer and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the pivotal #MeToo movement, passed away at the age of 81 on Friday. His wife, Carol Littleton, reported that he passed away peacefully in his sleep in Los Angeles, according to an announcement by the film academy.

Bailey, whose work spans films such as “Ordinary People,” “Groundhog Day,” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” made history as the Academy’s first cinematographer president, serving from 2017 to 2019. His tenure coincided with challenging times in the film industry, marked by declining Oscar ratings, criticism over lack of diversity (#OscarsSoWhite), and the notorious envelope mistake during the 2017 Oscars that overshadowed “Moonlight’s” best picture victory. Shortly after Bailey’s appointment, explosive revelations about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct emerged, leading to a wider industry reflection on power dynamics and abuse.

The Academy swiftly expelled Weinstein following the reports. Faced with inquiries about other members accused of misconduct, Bailey emphasized in a memo that while the Academy would not act as a tribunal, it was committed to setting behavioral standards and supporting those at risk due to ethical breaches by peers. This led to the introduction of a conduct code against abuse of power and status, alongside more robust mechanisms for member suspension or expulsion.

Despite being a self-described “75-year-old white male,” Bailey expressed his satisfaction at the 2018 Oscars luncheon about the dismantling of some of Hollywood’s deep-rooted abusive practices. However, Bailey himself faced an accusation of inappropriate behavior on a movie set a decade earlier, which he denied. An Academy investigation in March 2018 concluded that no further action was required, and he was reelected for a second term.

Bailey’s term also saw controversial proposals to revamp the Oscars, including the addition of a popular film award and shortening the broadcast by relegating some categories to commercial breaks. Despite initial resistance, including concerns over marginalizing blockbuster films like “Black Panther” from the best film category, the “outstanding achievement in popular film” award was later shelved.

Bailey highlighted the importance of acknowledging “middle pictures,” those with significant budgets yet not typical award favorites, in an interview with The Big Big News. He underscored the Academy’s ongoing relevance and its efforts to evolve alongside the industry, countering criticisms of its perceived detachment.

Bailey leaves behind his wife, Littleton, a respected film editor and former Academy governor, known for her Oscar-nominated work on “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” She was set to receive an honorary Oscar this year, but the Governors Awards ceremony was postponed due to Hollywood strikes.

Reflecting on the Oscars’ evolution, Bailey emphasized its dynamic nature and commitment to recognizing industry changes, challenging the notion of the Academy’s irrelevance and highlighting its role in sparking industry-wide discussions.

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• The Oscars Envelope Incident
• Harvey Weinstein Scandal Explained
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Code of Conduct
• The Evolution of the Oscars Ceremony