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American cinematographer (1935–1996) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jordan Scott Cronenweth, ASC (February 20, 1935 – November 29, 1996) was an American cinematographer based in Los Angeles, California. Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential cinematographers of all time, he is best remembered for his BAFTA Award-winning work on the groundbreaking science fiction film Blade Runner,[1] which is credited as codifying the cyberpunk aesthetic.[2][3] A contemporary of Conrad Hall, his style consisted of heavily textured, film noir-inspired photography, seen in numerous classic films, including Zandy's Bride, Gable and Lombard, Altered States, and Peggy Sue Got Married.
Jordan Cronenweth | |
---|---|
Born | Jordan Scott Cronenweth February 20, 1935 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Died | November 29, 1996 61) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Occupation | Cinematographer |
Years active | 1969–1992 |
Known for | Blade Runner Altered States Peggy Sue Got Married Stop Making Sense |
Children | Jeff Cronenweth |
Awards |
In 1987, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and he received an ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases for his work on Peggy Sue Got Married.[4][5]
Born in Los Angeles, California on February 20, 1935, Cronenweth attended North Hollywood High School and later Los Angeles City College, majoring in Engineering. While in college he interned as a film lab assistant at Columbia Pictures and acted as a cameraman on the 1955 musical film Oklahoma!.[6]
His widely acclaimed[7][8] work on the science fiction-noir Blade Runner won the Best Cinematography Award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and got a BSC Award nomination and BAFTA Film Award. He won a 1987 ASC Award and earned an Academy Award nomination for Peggy Sue Got Married.
Cronenweth was initially hired as the director of photography for The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, but halfway through production producers replaced him with Fred J. Koenekamp.[9]
A 2003 poll of his peers conducted by the International Cinematographers Guild placed Cronenweth among the ten most influential cinematographers of all time.[10][11]
He and his first wife Carol had three children, Christie Cronenweth, Tim Cronenweth, and two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth.[12] He was later married to Shane Cronenweth for 17 years.
Cronenweth was originally misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978, and correctly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1981. He continued working in film and commercials as a cinematographer, and in several commercials as director/cameraman, for another 13 years despite considerable physical challenges.
He was replaced two weeks into the production of Alien 3 after falling ill, and died in 1996 at the age of 61 as a result of Parkinson's disease.[13]
Film
Year | Title | Director | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | Trilogy | Frank Perry | Segment "A Christmas Memory"; With Joseph C. Brun and Conrad Hall |
1970 | Brewster McCloud | Robert Altman | With Lamar Boren |
1971 | The Touch of Satan | Don Henderson | |
1972 | Cry for Me, Billy | William A. Graham | |
Play It as It Lays | Frank Perry | ||
1974 | The Nickel Ride | Robert Mulligan | |
Zandy's Bride | Jan Troell | ||
The Front Page | Billy Wilder | ||
1976 | Gable and Lombard | Sidney J. Furie | |
1977 | Handle with Care | Jonathan Demme | |
Rolling Thunder | John Flynn | ||
1980 | Altered States | Ken Russell | |
1981 | Cutter's Way | Ivan Passer | |
1982 | Best Friends | Norman Jewison | |
Blade Runner | Ridley Scott | ||
1984 | The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension |
W. D. Richter | With Fred J. Koenekamp |
1986 | Just Between Friends | Allan Burns | |
Peggy Sue Got Married | Francis Ford Coppola | ||
1987 | Gardens of Stone | ||
1990 | State of Grace | Phil Joanou | |
1992 | Final Analysis |
TV movies
Year | Title | Director |
---|---|---|
1973 | Birds of Prey | William A. Graham |
1977 | One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story | |
1978 | And I Alone Survived | |
1979 | Transplant |
Concert film
Year | Title | Director | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1984 | Stop Making Sense | Jonathan Demme | |
1988 | U2: Rattle and Hum | Phil Joanou | Colour segment |
1991 | Get Back | Richard Lester | With Robert Paynter |
Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1982 | BAFTA Awards | Best Cinematography | Blade Runner | Won |
Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Won | ||
New York Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematographer | Won | ||
British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography | Nominated | ||
1986 | Academy Awards | Best Cinematography | Peggy Sue Got Married | Nominated |
American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography | Won |