Richard Matthews (21 November 1952 – 3 March 2013) was a South African wildlife filmmaker, television producer, television director and cameraman. Matthews spent more than twenty years as a documentary filmmaker for the BBC Natural History Unit.[1] His notable credits included the 2013 BBC television series, Africa, featuring Sir David Attenborough.[1] Matthews won three Emmy Awards and one British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award for his work on wildlife programming.[1]
Matthews lived in Bristol, England, for much of his life, as his former home was located near the BBC Natural History Unit's headquarters on Whiteladies Road.[1] His production company created the "Nighmares of Nature" show for the BBC. He and his family had moved to Cape Town, South Africa in 2004.[1] [2] He specialized in aerial film shots following his return to South Africa.[2]
Richard Matthews was killed in a small plane crash on 3 March 2013, while filming aerial footage in over the Damaraland area of Kunene Region, Namibia.[1] [2] His pilot, Mark Berry, was also killed in the crash.[1]