Deaths on January 5

Robert Surtees (cinematographer)

Died on January 5, 1985

Robert L. Surtees, American cinematographer (b. 1906)

Robert L. Surtees, A.S.C. (August 9, 1906 – January 5, 1985) was an American cinematographer who won three Academy Awards for the films King Solomon's Mines, The Bad and the Beautiful and the 1959 version of Ben-Hur. Surtees worked at various studios, including Universal, UFA, Warner Brothers, and MGM, lighting for notable directors Howard Hawks, Mike Nichols, and William Wyler, gaining him a reputation as one of the most versatile cinematographers of his time.

References

Robert Surtees (cinematographer)

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Events on 1985

10 Jan

Daniel Ortega
Sandinista Daniel Ortega becomes president of Nicaragua and vows to continue the transformation to socialism and alliance with the Soviet Union and Cuba; American policy continues to support the Contras in their revolt against the Nicaraguan government.
13 May

Philadelphia
Police release a bomb on MOVE headquarters in Philadelphia to end a stand-off, killing six adults and five children, and destroying the homes of 250 city residents.
25 May

Tropical cyclone
Bangladesh is hit by a tropical cyclone and storm surge, which kills approximately 10,000 people.
6 Jun

Auschwitz concentration camp
The grave of "Wolfgang Gerhard" is opened in Embu, Brazil; the exhumed remains are later proven to be those of Josef Mengele, Auschwitz's "Angel of Death"; Mengele is thought to have drowned while swimming in February 1979.
13 Sep

Super Mario
Super Mario Bros. is released in Japan for the NES, which starts the Super Mario series of platforming games.

Deaths on January 5

Robert Surtees (cinematographer)

Died on January 5, 1985

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1985

Daniel Ortega

Philadelphia

Tropical cyclone

Auschwitz concentration camp

Super Mario