Andrew Lesnie with his Oscar
Cinematographer Andrew Lesnie holds the Oscar after winning Best Cinematography at the 74th annual Academy AwardsReuters

The Oscar-winning cinematographer of films like "The Lord of The Rings" and "The Hobbit", Andrew Lesnie, died of a heart attack on Monday.

Initial reports about the 59-year-old's death surfaced on Twitter late on Monday, but soon Ain't It Cool News' Eric Vespe confirmed the news.

Lesnie's family is expected to make an official statement later. A spokesman from the Australian Cinematographers Society said, "We have been advised of the sudden death of Andrew but his family would make an official statement at a later time."

It is reported that the international film fraternity, especially in Australia and New Zealand, are devastated by the news of the sudden death of this Oscar-winning Australian cinematographer.

The Sydney filmmaker, who spent more than a decade collaborating with director Peter Jackson on "The Lord of The Rings" and "The Hobbit" films, recently worked with actor-turned-filmmaker Russell Crowe on "The Water Diviner".

Known for balancing technology with artistic considerations, Lesnie also shot "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" (2011), directed by Rupert Wyatt, and has won the Oscar for his work on the first of the fabled "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001).

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