Oscar winning Lord of the Rings cinematographer Andrew Lesnie has died.

The NEWS.com.au website says the 59-year-old's death from a sudden heart attack has been confirmed by the Australian Cinematographer's Society.

Lesnie had a close working relationship with Sir Peter Jackson, working on the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films, along with King Kong and The Lovely Bones.

He won an academy award in 2002 for his work on The Fellowship of the Ring.