Hollywood DP, Photog, Irving Lippman 1906-2006

FBLA admits to a near obsession with the Obituary section of the LA Times. Today, editors found space for Mark Foley’s father, and a Soviet pollster while relegating Irving Lippman to the paid obits.

And who was Irving Lippman, you ask? We’re so glad you did.

Lippman, who died at 100, started at 16 as assistant cameraman for Fatty Arbuckle. He worked as a cinematographer, a stillie, and a D.P. . His credits ranged from Meet John Doe to Hellcats of the Navy to The Monkees to The Love Boat. He was the cinematographer on 20 Million Miles to Earth. He worked into his 70s.

FBLA thinks Lippy, and people like him, made Hollywood. That his home-town newspaper fails to grasp the significance of this one life is outrageous. Lippman contributed far more to Los Angeles than many of the people the editors deemed more worthy or important.

FBLA urges all readers to sign the guest book. We did.

Join Baratunde Thurston (left), The Onion’s Director of Digital and author of How to Be Black, for an entertaining look at creative social media campaigns in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting this Thursday, February 16. Other speakers include Morin Oluwole (Facebook), Michael Brito (Edelman Digital), and Tim Devane (bitly). Register now.