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Michael Ballhaus | |
|---|---|
 Ballhaus in 2007 | |
| Born | (1935-08-05)5 August 1935 |
| Died | 12 April 2017(2017-04-12) (aged 81) Berlin,Germany |
| Years active | 1959–2013 |
| Organization | American Society of Cinematographers |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2, includingFlorian Ballhaus |
| Parent(s) | Oskar Ballhaus [de] Lena Hutter [de] |
| Relatives | Carl Balhaus (uncle) |
Michael Ballhaus,A.S.C. (5 August 1935 – 12 April 2017) was a German cinematographer, known for his work with directors likeRainer Werner Fassbinder,Martin Scorsese, andMike Nichols.
He was a member of both theAcademy of Arts, Berlin and theAmerican Society of Cinematographers.
Ballhaus was born on 5 August 1935 inBerlin to actorsLena Hutter [de] andOskar Ballhaus [de]. His uncle was actor and directorCarl Ballhaus.[1][2]
He was influenced by family friendMax Ophüls,[3] and appeared as an extra in Ophüls' last filmLola Montès (1955).[4]
Ballhaus came to prominence with his work withRainer Werner Fassbinder beginning withWhity (1971), in addition toThe Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972),Chinese Roulette (1976) andThe Marriage of Maria Braun (1978). In 1990, he was the head of the jury at the40th Berlin International Film Festival.[5]
After settling in the United States, he worked on many American films, such asGoodfellas (1990),Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992),Wild Wild West (1999) andGangs of New York (2002).
Ballhaus also made an appearance inRosa von Praunheim's filmFassbinder's Women (2000).
He was nominated three times for theAcademy Award for Best Cinematography, but never won. He did win awards at theChicago Film Critics Association, theBoston Society of Film Critics, and twice at theLos Angeles Film Critics Association.
His documentaryIn Berlin, made withCiro Cappellari, was released in May 2009.
Ballhaus's final film wasSherry Hormann's3096 Days in 2013.
Ballhaus was married to actress and art director Helga Maria Betten from 1958 until her death in 2006.[6]
They had two sons,Florian, who is also a cinematographer, and Jan Sebastian, an assistant director.[7]
In 2011, Ballhaus married German-American directorSherry Hormann.[8]
He died at his home in Berlin at the age of 81, after a short illness.[9]
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958–1970 | Sie schreiben mit | ||
| 1973 | World on a Wire | Rainer Werner Fassbinder | Miniseries |
| Tatort | Wolfgang Staudte | Episode "Tote brauchen keine Wohnung" | |
| 1974 | Ein Haus für uns | Wim Wenders | Episodes "Aus der Familie der Panzerechsen" and "Die Insel" |
| 1974–1976 | Unter einem Dach | ||
| 1979 | Alpensaga | Dieter Berner | Episode "Der deutsche Frühling" |
Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Best Cinematography | Broadcast News | Nominated |
| 1989 | The Fabulous Baker Boys | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
BAFTA Awards
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Best Cinematography | Goodfellas | Nominated |
| 1993 | The Age of Innocence | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
Chicago Film Critics Association
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Best Cinematography | Bram Stoker's Dracula | Won |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated | |
| 2006 | The Departed | Nominated |
Los Angeles Film Critics Association
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Best Cinematography | The Fabulous Baker Boys | Won |
| 1990 | Goodfellas | Won |
Satellite Awards
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Best Cinematography | The Legend of Bagger Vance | Nominated |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
Other awards
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Cinematography | After Hours | Nominated |
| 1989 | Boston Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | The Fabulous Baker Boys | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Won | ||
| 2007 | Bavarian Film Awards | Honorary Award | Won | |
