Sad news arrives that Ken Nightingall, loving known as ‘Pink Shorts Boom Guy’ has passed away aged 92. The Association of Motion Picture Sound announced the news.
AMPS, the Association of Motion Picture Sound, is sad to announce the passing of legendary film industry boom operator, KEN NIGHTINGALL, known to a whole new generation of STAR WARS fans as “Pink Shorts Boom Guy” after working on the original STAR WARS, which went on to receive an Academy Award for Best Sound. Ken passed away at his home in the UK on 19th May at the age of 92.
Ken is a veteran of the international film industry and highlights in his long and distinguished career include ALFIE and FUNERAL IN BERLIN with Michael Caine, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL with Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier and James Mason, and the James Bond films FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, OCTOPUSSY, A VIEW TO A KILL and THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdp7vZhMlfk
Die-hard STAR WARS fans and participants in the cosplay phenomenon, elevated Ken to icon status, dubbing him “Pink Shorts Boom Guy”, after a behind-the-scenes still of Ken appeared online, featuring him on location working in the blistering heat of Tunisia during production of the original STAR WARS in 1977.
Academy Award-winning sound mixer, Chris Munro paid tribute to Ken:
“I first met Ken when I entered the industry over 50 years ago. He was immensely supportive of me as I carved my early career as a young sound mixer. ‘Legend’ is the word that springs to mind when I try to describe him. He will be sadly missed by our film community but his is a life and career that should be celebrated. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
