William Woodfield, 73; Writer, Photographer of Monroe, Other Stars

William Read Woodfield, 73, producer and writer on television’s “Mission: Impossible” and a photographer of such celebrities as Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra, died Saturday at UCLA Medical Center of a heart attack.

Woodfield’s first professional photo assignment was a picture of Elizabeth Taylor. His pictures of Jayne Mansfield for Playboy sold more than 1 million copies.

His most memorable work includes photos of Monroe as she removed her bathing suit by a swimming pool on the set of her uncompleted 1962 film “Something’s Got to Give.”

The writer and photographer, who apprenticed at Life magazine, designed record albums and magazine layouts for Sinatra.

A magician in his youth, he founded the magazine Magicana and used his skills in illusion and deception for his work on “Mission: Impossible” and episodes he wrote for “Columbo” and “Sea Hunt.”