Cinematographer Joseph La Shelle

Joseph W. La Shelle, Academy Award-winning cinematographer, has died at a Christian Science care home in La Jolla at age 89.

La Shelle died Sunday evening of problems related to old age, according to his son-in-law, Dave Gardner of Fullerton.

La Shelle was nominated for the Academy Award for cinematography 15 times, according to the “International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers,” making him one of the most critically acclaimed artists regardless of category in motion picture history.

He won the coveted Oscar only once, for “Laura” in 1944, only one year after he had moved up the ranks to first cameraman.

Born in Los Angeles in 1900, La Shelle was trained as a electrical engineer but entered films in 1923 as a laboratory assistant and became an assistant cameraman in 1925. He worked with Arthur Miller at Pathe and Fox before becoming director of photography in 1943.

In his 46-year career, La Shelle earned a reputation as one of Hollywood’s greatest cinematographers through his work on such films as “Laura,” “My Cousin Rachel,” “The Naked and the Dead” and “The Apartment.”

Among the films for which his work was nominated were “Hangover Square” in 1945, “River of No Return” in 1954, “Marty” in 1955, “The Long Hot Summer” in 1958, “The Apartment” in 1960, “How the West Was Won” in 1962, and “The Fortune Cookie” in 1966.

La Shelle is survived by a daughter, Barbara Gardner of Fullerton; a son, Joseph W. La Shelle Jr. of Santa Barbara, and a sister. He had lived in La Jolla during his retirement.

Gardner said private services will be held Wednesday in San Diego.