The late director’s verified social media accounts confirmed Vitali’s death on Sunday… writing: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have to tell you that the linchpin of many of Kubrick’s films, Leon Vitali, passed away peacefully last night. Our thoughts are with his family and all his new and loved ones.” No other details were given. It is with great sadness that we have to tell you that the linchpin of many of Kubrick’s films, Leon Vitali, passed away peacefully last night. Our thoughts are with his family and all of his new and loved ones. July 26, 1948 – August 20, 2022 pic.twitter.com/uE0Q1KvQi1 — Stanley Kubrick (@StanleyKubrick) August 21, 2022 @StanleyKubrick Kubrick’s account continues to heap praise on Vitali … noting his behind-the-scenes work with his cinematographer, but also noting the roles he portrayed on camera as an actor — including as one of the leads in SK’s 1975 period drama “Barry Lyndon”. The post also notes this… “Whether he was giving the performance of his life as Lord Bullingdon, portraying the ominous Red Cloak, providing BTS technical support at FMJ, and attending the Cannes Film Festival 4K release of The Shining, Leon Vitali was his heartbeat Kubrick’s films after the master himself.’ So yes, he is very important in Kubrick’s universe. Whether he was giving the performance of his life as Lord Bullingdon, portraying the ominous Red Cloak, providing BTS technical support at FMJ and attending The Shining 4K launch at the Cannes Film Festival, Leon Vitali was the heartbeat of Kubrick’s films after the gentleman himself. pic.twitter.com/YqtRIQ5vxA — Stanley Kubrick (@StanleyKubrick) August 21, 2022 @StanleyKubrick As has been well documented, the guy was desperately devoted to Stanley… Jacket’ and Kubrick’s. latest film, “Eyes Closed”. He has been credited on every film as “Assistant Director” and was even the CD on the last two films. But Vitali’s involvement in these films went beyond his credits — he was literally running on set alongside Kubrick and making sure his boss’s vision came true. Kubrick, of course, was notorious for his grueling shoots … doing dozens of takes of any given scene and demanding absolute perfection from his cast and crew — which was also true of Vitali. However, he hung tight and remained faithful all these years till the death of S.K. himself. A large part of Vitali’s journey with Kubrick was captured in the 2017 documentary “Filmworker”, which ended up at several festivals after its release … giving BTS excellent insight into the life and work of a special artist, through lens of LV. As many of the actors who worked on Kubrick’s sets point out… Vitali was involved in nearly every step of the production process, often serving as an acting coach for iconic characters and scenes. He wasn’t just behind the camera, though — Vitali has quite a few acting credits to his name … including 2013’s Romeo and Juliet, Little Children, Inter Rail, Terror. of Frankenstein” and a ton of TV series and sitcoms from the 70s. Vitali even played Red Cloak in ‘EWS’ — the leader of the sex-crazed cult that Tom Cruise infiltrates. He is survived by his wife and children… Vitali was 74 years old. RIP
