A cascaded adaptive optics system for correction of aberrations in a light beam. The system includes a plurality of spatial light modulators (SLMs) in a cascaded arrangement to provide an adaptive optics system characterized by wide range, rapid response, and high resolution. The spatial light modulators may be identical or have characteristics that are complementary in providing a combined output that advantageously corrects for aberrations. A conventional adaptive optics system such as a deformable mirror may be used as one or more of the SLMKs. Liquid crystal light valves (LCLVs) may be advantageously used as one or more of the SLMs in the invention. A single LCLV may be cascaded with itself in a multiple-pass configuration by means of suitable reflectors.