Bill Cooke was a lifelong Miami resident, self-taught photojournalist, blogger, and writer who fearlessly documented the city's raw, gritty side from the 1980s through the 1990s and beyond. A Vietnam War veteran, he captured Miami's vibrant culture, crime scenes, daily life, and historical moments for outlets like the Miami New Times, where he contributed articles on topics ranging from segregation and racism in Miami Beach's history to police scandals, ridiculous local laws, and the "cheesecake" bikini photo industry that helped shape the area's early tourism image.
As a Miami Insider and contributor to Miami Beach 411, Bill authored insightful pieces that delved into the city's cinematic and cultural lore. His work often blended sharp historical insight with a love for true crime (his favorite book was Truman Capote's In Cold Blood), jazz music, and classic film noir favorites like Chinatown, The Godfather, The Asphalt Jungle, and Scarface itself.
Bill built a remarkable visual archive that preserved Miami's transformative eras, from the cocaine cowboy days to South Beach's evolution. He passed away in 2017 at age 70 after battling pulmonary fibrosis, leaving a powerful legacy in photojournalism and Miami storytelling.
We are grateful for Bill Cooke's bold, evocative writing and photography that captured Miami's complex, unforgettable spirit on Miami Beach 411, along with Bill's sites Random Pixels, Miami Archives, and far beyond.
