AceShowbiz - James Pergola, the accomplished cinematographer and producer known for his extensive work on the iconic TV series Baywatch, passed away at the age of 93. Pergola died of natural causes on February 23 in hospice care in Naples, Florida, according to his wife of 63 years, Virginia Pergola, who shared the news with The Hollywood Reporter.

James Pergola had a long and distinguished career in film and television, contributing to several notable productions before and during his tenure on Baywatch. His early work included roles as a cinematographer and camera operator on feature films such as Gentle Ben, Caddyshack, and Major League. Notably, he served as the cinematographer for the first eight seasons of Baywatch, shooting 145 episodes from the series' inception on NBC in 1989 through its rise as a syndication powerhouse until his retirement in 1998.

In addition to his work behind the camera, Pergola was also a producer on Baywatch for seven seasons, beginning with the show’s second season. Veteran underwater cinematographer Pete Romano praised him, stating, "Jim had a lot of experience working on films shooting on and under the water ... he was perfect for Baywatch and brought a calm presence to the hectic shoot days on the water." Romano also highlighted Pergola's collaborative nature, remarking that "he wasn't one to micromanage."

Born in New York City on November 1, 1932, James Charles Pergola faced tragedy early in life when his father, James V. Pergola, a camera operator, was among the 19 victims of a United Airlines crash in Utah’s Uinta Mountains in 1937. His father had been a prominent news cameraman, covering major events including the Lindbergh baby kidnapping in 1932 and the Cuban revolution of 1933, as well as lighter assignments such as an Esther Williams aqua ballet in Miami Beach.

Pergola reflected on his father's legacy in a 2009 writing, stating, "I humbly attempted to follow in my father's footsteps, but I could never fill them. He was truly a great man." After his father’s death, his mother Eleanor relocated the family to Miami, where Pergola graduated from Miami Senior High School.

Following service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Pergola began his career in 1955 at Fox Movietone in New York as an assistant cameraman, a path that mirrored his father’s earlier work. He gained experience shooting CinemaScope short subjects and travelogues, then returned to Miami where he operated cameras on various projects, including the 1962 sports-themed film Safe at Home! featuring Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, and the 1966 comedy Birds Do It starring Soupy Sales. He also worked on popular television series such as Flipper and Gentle Ben, both produced by Ivan Tors.

During the 1970s, Pergola served as a camera operator on films like Robert Clouse's Darker Than Amber (1970), John Milius’ Dillinger (1973), and Bob Fosse’s Lenny (1974). His first role as director of photography came with the CBC series Salty (1974-75), co-created by Ricou Browning, known for his work on Creature of the Black Lagoon and Flipper. His debut as a cinematographer on a feature film was the 1977 production Thunder and Lightning, filmed in Naples, Florida, starring David Carradine and Kate Jackson.

Pergola also contributed as an additional photographer on the 1980 comedy Caddyshack, and as a second-unit cinematographer on Paul Newman's Harry & Son (1984) and David S. Ward’s Major League (1989). His directorial photography credits further include the 1979 Dom DeLuise comedy Hot Stuff, Jerry Lewis’ Hardly Working (1980), Nobody’s Perfekt (1981), the Amy Madigan-led Love Child (1982), Smokey and the Bandit 3 (1983), What Comes Around (1985), and Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach (1988).

In the 1990s, beyond his work on Baywatch, Pergola shot the television films Forbidden Paradise and White Thunder at Glacier Bay, contributed to the spinoff series Baywatch Nights, and worked on the Hulk Hogan-led series Thunder in Paradise.

James Pergola is survived by his wife Virginia, their three daughters Mary, Susan, and Holly—who worked as a makeup artist on Baywatch—as well as his granddaughters Dylan, Katerina, Juliet, Greta, Scarlett, Willow, and Roxy.

James Pergola's legacy endures through his influential contributions to television and film, especially his skillful cinematography that helped define the sun-soaked, action-packed aesthetic of Baywatch, a show that remains a cultural touchstone decades after its debut.