Bill Butler: Last News

Andrea Bocelli performed a rendition of the song ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ with his son Matteo Bocelli to accompany the Academy’s annual obituary section. Perhaps mindful of previous years, in which eagle-eyed viewers have jumped on omissions, this year’s “In Memoriam” seemed both comprehensive but at the same time not enough, with a bizarre postscript that lumped together artists as diverse as (in alphabetical order) Kenneth Anger, Terence Davies, Carl Davis, David McCallum, Sinead O’Connor, Paolo Taviani and Treat Williams in a well-meaning but unintentionally backhanded postscript.

EXCLUSIVE: D. Smith’s breakout documentary Kokomo City, a top contender for Oscar recognition, will make its debut on Showtime and Paramount+ on February 2, Deadline can reveal.

Angelique Jackson “Kokomo City” star Koko Da Doll was found fatally shot on Tuesday in Atlanta. She was 35 years old. The Atlanta Police Department reported that Koko was found with a gunshot wound in Southwest Atlanta shortly before 11 p.m. on Tuesday. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Koko, whose given name is Rasheeda Williams, was a prominent transgender woman featured in the award-winning documentary “Kokomo City,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The film, which marks the feature directorial debut of Grammy-nominated producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith, presents a raw depiction of the lives of four Black trans sex workers living in Atlanta and New York City — Koko, Daniella Carter, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver — as they confront the dichotomy between the Black community and themselves, as well as the persistent threat of violence they face each day.

Michael Lerner — an actor who is known for his roles in  and more — has died at 81 years old, his family announced Sunday. His nephew, Sam, took to Instagram to share the news, writing, «We lost a legend last night. It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me.» The tribute included a carousel of photos of Michael throughout the years.

, died Wednesday.In addition to the '70s cult classic, Butler also worked as d.p. on several box office hits of the era, including  -- which earned him an Oscar nom — Francis Ford Coppola’s,  and , as well as the Bill Murray comedy, .

Carmel Dagan Emmy-winning cinematographer Bill Butler, who was Oscar nominated for shooting “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and was also the D.P. on “Jaws,” died Wednesday, according to the American Society of Cinematographers. He was 101.In addition to “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Butler served as d.p. on a number of other high-profile films of the 1970s, including Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Conversation,” “Grease,” “Ice Castles,” Bill Murray comedy hit “Stripes” and several entries in the “Rocky” franchise (but not the original).On both “The Conversation” and “Cuckoo’s Nest,” Butler was brought in as replacement for the esteemed cinematographer Haskell Wexler.Butler was also the cinematographer for “Demon Seed” and “Capricorn One” in the ’70s, as well as Neil Simon adaptation “Biloxi Blues” (1988), horror film “Child’s Play” (1988), Prince musical drama “Graffiti Bridge” (1990), “Flipper” (1996), “Anaconda” (1997) and the Pate brothers’ well-regarded 1997 murder mystery film “Deceiver,” starring Tim Roth and Renee Zellweger. Butler worked into the new century, by which time he was in his 80s, shooting Bill Paxton’s critically hailed 2001 crime drama “Frailty” and the 2006 Chevy Chase comedy “Funny Money.”

Magnolia Pictures acquired worldwide rights to Kokomo City, the feature directorial debut of two-time Grammy-nominated producer/singer/songwriter D. Smith, who made history as the first trans woman cast on a primetime unscripted TV show. Smith also filmed and edited this wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary that passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – as they hold nothing back while breaking down the walls of their profession. The film, executive produced by Lena Waithe, played in the Next Section and will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year. They burned the midnight oil on this one, with negotiations lasting till the wee hours.

EXCLUSIVE: CAA has signed emerging filmmaker D. Smith, whose documentary Kokomo City will world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later today.

Pose star Billy Porter kissed his husband Adam Smith while being presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Thursday.The 53-year-old actor, who got his start on Broadway before making a splash in Hollywood, was decked out in a luxurious white frock.During the ceremony he stretched himself along the red carpet surrounding the star in a pose reminiscent of a 1950s pin-up.His outfit for the daytime event was a finely pleated white frock that featured raised, puffed out shoulders and a turtleneck.  Pose star: Billy Porter kissed his husband Adam Smith while being presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on ThursdayAccessorizing with a sleek silver clutch that complemented his salt-and-pepper beard, he lent the look a dash of glitz with several rings. Billy received a warm speech from his manager Bill Butler, who has worked with him now for upwards of three decades.Bill fought back tears as he revealed that while his mother was dying in hospice, she requested that Billy's song Love Is On The Way be played at her funeral.  Swanking about: The 53-year-old actor, who made his bones on Broadway before making a splash in Hollywood, was decked out in a luxurious white frock Having a ball: During Thursday's ceremony he stretched himself along the red carpet surrounding the star in a pose reminiscent of a 1950s pinup Swanking about: His outfit for the daytime event was a finely pleated white frock that featured raised, puffed out shoulders and a turtleneck'I'm so thrilled for my dear friend and client who is so deserving of this honor and all this love that surrounds him,' said Bill, as seen on the Variety livestream.