David Worth, Director of ‘Kickboxer’ and DP of ‘Any Which Way You Can,’ Dies at 86

David Worth, director of films including “Kickboxer” and DP on numerous films including Clint Eastwood’s “Any Which Way You Can,” died Sept. 4 in Sunland, Calif. He was 86.

Worth started out as director of photography on low-budget movies before Clint Eastwood hired him as cinematographer on “Bronco Billy” and “Any Which Way You Can,” both released in 1980.

After serving as director of photography on Jean-Claude Van Damme’s “Bloodsport,” he moved into directing, with 1989’s “Kickboxer” starring Van Damme. Worth went on to direct several episodes of the “Air America” TV series and features including “Shark Attack 2” and “Shark Attack 3.”

Among the other films he shot were “China Cry: A True Story,” “Lady Dragon,” “American Tigers,” “Raptor Island,” “Man With the Screaming Brain” and “Alien Apocalypse.”

“His work was also his joy, and his family frequently joined him on location around the world during his long career,” his daughter Christina said, “He was irreverent, funny, and in jovial spirits to the very end.”

Worth was also an author, teacher, and received his master’s degree in 2016. His books include “Milestones in Cinema: 50 Visionary Films & Filmmakers,” “Orson Welles Crash Course in Cinematography and “Zen & the Art of Independent Filmmaking (a cautionary tale).”

He is survived by his daughter, Chrystina Myers, a son, David Wertheimer, a brother and two grandsons.

Van Damme remembered Worth on Instagram, writing: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend David Worth. From ‘Bloodsport’ to ‘Kickboxer,’ David’s talent and vision helped create two martial arts classics that changed my life.”