John Bartley, who was integral in the production of The X-Files and Lost, has sadly passed away aged 78.
The Emmy Award-winning cameraman died in Los Angeles on Sunday, with the news confirmed by his close friend, Australian filmmaker Polly Pierce, on social media, per the Daily Mail.
"It's with such a heavy heart to write that my long-time mentor and dear friend, the cinematographer John S Bartley ASC CSC, has passed on," Pierce shared. "If it wasn't for John and his landmark work on @thexfilestv I wouldn't be in film."
Bartley’s career as a visual storyteller spanned decades and left a profound impact on the film and TV industries.
He was instrumental in crafting the eerie and suspenseful visual style of The X-Files, especially in its first three seasons, where his dark cinematography defined the show’s atmosphere.
His contribution earned him three American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Award nominations, as well as two Primetime Emmy nominations. In 1996, he won the coveted Emmy Award for his work on the episode “Grotesque.”
Bartley’s skills extended to other iconic projects, including Lost, where he captured the beauty and mystery of the tropics.
His visual work on Lost earned him more Emmy nominations, further cementing his place in the industry.
His diverse credits spanned genres, from Bates Motel and Wu Assassins to films like First Blood, The Chronicles of Riddick, and the 2014 RoboCop remake, per the Mirror.
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1947 to a career Army officer and a theatre cashier, Bartley faced hardship early in life when his father passed away at the age of 53.
He and his brother spent time at their mother's ticket booth at the local theater, where their exposure to live performances and musicals ignited his passion for storytelling.
After finishing high school, Bartley apprenticed as an electrician before relocating to Sydney at age 20.
There, he began working as a lighting director in theatre and television. His journey then took him to Vancouver, where he worked as a gaffer and learned from renowned cinematographers, including Sven Nykvist, Hiro Narita, Tak Fujimoto, and Bob Stevens.
By the mid-1980s, Bartley had already established himself in the industry, working on commercials and music videos. He made his feature debut as director of photography for the independent film Beyond the Stars, starring Martin Sheen.
Bartley’s work in television began with shows like Roswell, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish, but his big breakthrough came with The X-Files in 1993.
As a key collaborator with series creator Chris Carter, Bartley helped create the show’s distinctive visual style that contributed to its long-lasting cultural impact.
His cinematic flair extended to the The X-Files movie I Want to Believe, as well as films like Odd Girl Out, Another Life, The Chronicles of Riddick, and Wrong Turn.
His television credits also include The Good Doctor, Vikings, Roswell, and Wu Assassins, among others, leaving an indelible mark across various genres.
Bartley was inducted as a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) in 1997, a recognition of his unparalleled contribution to the art of cinematography.
Over the years, he received multiple accolades, including Emmy nominations for Lost and Bates Motel, showcasing his versatility and dedication to his craft.
Reflecting on his career, Bartley once shared: “The best advice I can give anyone is that there is nothing easy about working in this industry. You have to love it, because it is tough on family life when you are working 70 to 80 hours a week. Not everyone can do it.”