Pioneer in the field of lighting design was 97

William “Bill” Klages, a pioneer of television lighting design and seven-time Emmy winner, died on July 7 in Santa Monica, California, his son Jonathan Klages confirmed. He was 97.

Klages won one Emmy Award for Outstanding Visual Achievement in Special Visual Effects and six for Outstanding Lighting Direction for his work on “The Lie,” “Mitzi & 100 Guys,” “The Dorothy Hamill Special,” “The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration’ of Performing Arts,” “Great Performances: Dance in America” and the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards. Klages was nominated for 21 Emmys during his career.

In 2012, Klages became the first lighting designer to be inducted into the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Three years later, he was inducted into the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni Hall of Fame.

Klages entered the entertainment industry in 1948 when the NBC network hired him as a maintenance engineer at its flagship studios in New York City. He would soon become a video engineer in the Operations department, and he made his debut as a lighting director in the live drama series ‘Playwrights ’56’. He would go on to light shows for early television stars such as Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Ernie Kovacs and Perry Como.

Klages lit a wide range of variety shows, dramatic productions, entertainment specials and awards ceremonies throughout his career. His biggest duties included the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the Statue of Liberty’s “Liberty Weekend” celebration and four Republican National Conventions.

Klages is survived by his son, writer, editor and musician Jonathan Klages.