Bruce Gowers, a longtime TV producer and the original director of “American Idol” who also directed music videos including Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” has died at the age of 82 following complications from an acute respiratory infection, his representatives said Tuesday. The Emmy and Grammy award-winning producer died Sunday in Santa Monica.
Born in New Kilbride, Scotland, in 1940, Gowers’ long stint in Hollywood includes directing nine seasons of “American Idol” – from 2002 to 2011 – which eventually earned him an Emmy. He earned five Emmy nominations for directing and one Directors Guild nomination, and won a Grammy in 1986 for directing Huey Lewis and the News’ “Heart of Rock and Roll” video.