Mean Streets Cinematographer Kent Wakeford passes away

American cinematographer Kent L Wakeford, renowned for his work with Martin Scorsese, passed away on Saturday. He was 92. Wakeford breathed his last at the Wasserman Campus of the Motion Picture and Television Fund.

Wakeford worked extensively in features, documentary, television, and advertising. After his early years as a freelance cameraman, Wakeford shot to fame with his work in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets which was released in 1973. Wakeford’s stylish and vital cinematography in Mean Streets widely employed hand-held camera techniques and was lauded as a unique style. Wakeford’s cinematography in the film has inspired the visual style of numerous filmmakers.

Wakeford also shot Scorsese’s Academy-award winning film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. He worked as a director of photography in L.A.Law series, as well as films like Ironheart, Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade, and more. The veteran cinematographer also cofounded the Wakeford/ Orloff productions.