Bruce Logan, the respected director of photography and cinematographer who worked on Star Wars: A New Hope and once said his “biggest claim to fame is… I blew up the Death Star”, has died at the age of 78. His death happened unexpectedly earlier this month but is only just becoming public knowledge after his daughter confirmed the news on social media. Taking to Instagram Mary Grace Logan posted a slideshow of images of her father throughout the years and accompanied it with a heartbreaking caption.

"Before CGI ruled the screen, there were visionaries who lit the future by hand. From 2001: A Space Odyssey to Tron, my dad didn’t just work on movies—he made magic. A rebel with a camera, a pioneer with a story, and my personal hero. I’m so proud to be your daughter and to honor your life and legacy. Daddy—aka Bruce Logan, ASC—was a visionary cinematographer, director, and visual effects pioneer whose artistry illuminated films like Star Wars, Tron, and 2001: A Space Odyssey," she wrote.

"But beyond your remarkable career, you were my dad. I remember you playing House of the Rising Sun on your beautiful Martin guitar (which I was definitely not allowed to touch). Watching you build a race car with your bare hands blew me away. You weren’t perfect — but you never judged me. I saw into your beautiful soul.

"You gave me wisdom, and your love enriched the lives of everyone who knew you. Your light continues to shine. I love you forever, Dad. Please keep sending me signs from beyond," she concluded.

Chris Campion, the author of Saturation 70: A Vision Past of the Future Foretold also paid tribute to the star. “He was the kind of larger-than-life character in the industry who doesn’t really exist anymore.

"He also built and raced cars, and was an incredibly lovely, warm-hearted, gentle, and soulful man,” added Chris Campion, who wrote Saturation 70: A Vision Past of the Future Foretold."

Bruce began his career workign as an animator for the BBC. At the age of 19 was hired to work on 2001: A Space Odyssey, working on special photographic effects.

In 1976, he was hired for one of the his most iconic jobs heading the second unit special effects photography on Star Wars: A New Hope.

At the time, the effects team was using attempting to use puppetry to choreograph the famous final aerial dogfight but it wasn’t working. Bruce started shooting explosions to cut into the sequence and later said that his “biggest claim to fame is… I blew up the Death Star.”

Other legendary movies on his impressive CV include Airplane!, Avalance Express and Batman Forever. He was the cinematographer on Tron and also directed second unit on Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He also shot a number of music videos including Madonna's Borderline and clips for Prince and Rod Stewart.

He is survived by his wife, Mariana Campos-Logan; and children, Mary Grace and Campbell Logan.