Legendary celebrity photographer Charles Adams died on Tuesday in Carson City. Adams died at his Carson City home where everyone from President Barack Obama to the citizens of Carson City enjoyed the pleasure of his company. Adams’ death was confirmed by his publicist and best friend Chris Harris. Harris has been Adams’ publicist since 1974. Adams was 80 years old.
Barack Obama signs a newspaper for Charles Adams while campaigning in Carson City in June 2007.
As a photographer Adams captured the changing face of Hollywood and the legendary stars of motion picture and television for more than 30 years.“During a protest he put a smile on the face of Marlon Brando and when Bette Midler arrived in Hollywood, Adams gave Miss Bette confidence with his camera,” Harris wrote. “When Queen Elizabeth visited Los Angeles in 1983, Mayor Tom Bradley made sure Charles was front and center to photograph Her Majesty as she departed City Hall.” Jack Lemon once said “Charles captured the way I always wanted to be portrayed in a photograph.” In a 2016 interview with the Appeal, Adams said the two celebrities he enjoyed photographing the most were “M.A.” and “M.B.,” referring to Muhammad Ali and Marlon Brando. He said other celebrities he took photos of, he saw them as celebrities, but about Ali and Brando, Adams said, “I saw them as the individuals they were.” Adams really enjoyed Christmas and he enjoyed sharing his themed Christmas tree yearly. He was featured numerous times in the Nevada Appeal with his tree. Adams may be best known for his work with Ali. When Ali left the ring he called Adams and for the next six years Adams photographed Ali. “I wanted people to get to know the Ali that I knew,” Adams said in 2016 when interviewed about Ali’s death. Harris said Adams was preparing to place those six years of Ali after the ring in a special table top book. “In the annals of the Hollywood photographer no one ever gave us a look at the stars the way Charles Adams did,” Harris said. “When Chuck Berry got his star on the Walk of Fame, Berry was jubilant. Charles said, ‘Chuck give us your real appreciation with the “Duck Walk.”’ Berry smiled at Charles and proceeded to perform his famous ‘Duck Walk,’” Harris said. Adams was born in Atlanta. Condolences can be sent to Christopharrispr@aol.com. Harris said he will forward them to Charles’ beloved niece, Angela Dale Greene.
Barack Obama signs a newspaper for Charles Adams while campaigning in Carson City in June 2007.