The world renowned documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark has passed away on May 25 at the age of 75. According to her studio manager Julia Bezgin, the photographer had myelodysplastic syndrome, which is a disease that affects both the bone marrow and blood. Mark is survived by her husband Martin Bell.
Mark is best known for taking photographs that addressed taboo subjects, like prostitution, homelessness and drug addiction. Her best known work was a project called 'Street Kids,' which was originally shot for Life Magazine and eventually turned into the documentary 'Streetwise.' This was one of her first collaborations with Bell, and the film received an Academy Award nomination.
The photographer has also shot production stills for several movies like 'Alice's Restaurant,' 'Carnal Knowledge' and 'Apocalypse Now.'
Mark has released several books as well. Her first book 'Passport' was published in 1974 and was quickly followed by 'Ward 81,' 'Falkland Road' and 'Mother Teresa's Mission of Charity in Calcutta.' In 2007, she released 'Extraordinary Child' for the National Museum of Iceland.
Several celebrities have taken to social media to honor Mark. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio, who will appear in the upcoming remake of 'The Magnificent Seven,' posted one of Mark's photographs on Twitter. "Rest in Peace, Mary Ellen Mark," the actor wrote. He added the caption, "Mary Ellen Mark with Marlon Brando, Apocalypse Now,1976 (photo by Stefani Kong Uhler)"
Rest in Peace, Mary Ellen Mark. Mary Ellen Mark with Marlon Brando, Apocalypse Now,1976 (photo by Stefani Kong Uhler) pic.twitter.com/uXSfmB5DVw
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) May 27, 2015
Bass guitarist Nikki Sixx of the rock band Motley Crue also tweeted the following message: "Sadly photographer Mary Ellen Mark has passed away but she left us with thousands of beautiful images."
Sadly photographer Mary Ellen Mark has passed away but she left us with thousands of beautiful images… https://t.co/spNDZvPRfn — Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) May 26, 2015
Mark's most recent photographs were published in the 2014 book 'Man and Beast: Photographs from Mexico and India.' The World Photography Award also honored her with the Outstanding Contribution Photography Award on the same year.
Mary Ellen Mark, the photographer, was also given the 2014 Lifetime Achievement in Photography Award by the George Eastman House.
