William Maxwell Klages

Bill Klages, a pioneer in the field of television lighting design, passed away on Sunday, July 7, in Santa Monica, California. He was 97.

The winner of seven Primetime Emmy Awards, Klages was inducted into the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2012, the only lighting designer to receive this honor.

William Maxwell Klages was born on May 7, 1927, in Long Beach, New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earned a Master of Science degree from Columbia University, and was a licensed Professional Engineer. Before embarking on his professional career, he served as a naval officer.

In 1948, Klages was hired by NBC, where he lighted landmark shows starring Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Perry Como. In 1958, he married Julie Rosalie Light, an associate director at NBC. They enjoyed a loving marriage until Julie's death in 2009.

Throughout his career, Klages lighted an extraordinary range of acclaimed shows and events including "The Kraft Music Hall," "My Name Is Barbra," "Baryshnikov by Tharp," and the 1984 Olympics Closing Ceremonies in L.A. He founded his own company of lighting designers, New Klages Inc., and conducted seminars across the world, mentoring generations of lighting designers.

He is survived by his son, Jonathan Light Klages, a writer, editor, and musician, of Los Angeles, California.