Jordan Cronenweth | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jordan Scott Cronenweth (1935-02-20)February 20, 1935 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | November 29, 1996(1996-11-29) (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1962–1992 |
| Children | Jeff Cronenweth |
Jordan Scott Cronenweth,ASC (February 20, 1935 – November 29, 1996) was an American cinematographer.
Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential cinematographers of all time, he is best remembered for hisBAFTA Award-winning work on the groundbreakingscience fiction filmBlade Runner,[1] which is credited for codifying thecyberpunk aesthetic.[2][3]
In 1987, he was nominated for anAcademy Award for Best Cinematography and he received anASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases for his work onPeggy Sue Got Married.[4][5]
A contemporary ofConrad L. Hall, his style consisted of heavily textured,film noir-inspired photography, seen in numerous classic films, includingZandy's Bride,Gable and Lombard,Altered States, andPeggy Sue Got Married.
Born in Los Angeles on February 20, 1935, Cronenweth went toNorth Hollywood High School inNorth Hollywood and later was a student atLos Angeles City College. He majored in engineering. While in college he interned as afilm lab assistant atColumbia Pictures and acted as a cameraman on the 1955 musical filmOklahoma!.[6]
His widely acclaimed[7][8] work on the science fiction-noirBlade Runner won the Best Cinematography Award from theLos Angeles Film Critics Association and received aBSC Award nomination andBAFTA Film Award. He won a 1987ASC Award and earned anAcademy Award nomination forPeggy Sue Got Married. Cronenweth was initially hired as the director of photography forThe Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, but halfway through production, producers replaced him withFred 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, Tim, and two-timeOscar-nominated cinematographerJeff Cronenweth.[12] Jordan Cronenwerth's second marriage was to Shane Cronenweth for 17 years.[citation needed]
Jordan Cronenweth was originally misdiagnosed withmultiple sclerosis in 1978,[citation needed] and diagnosed withParkinson’s disease in 1981.[citation needed] 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 six weeks into the production ofAlien 3 after falling ill, and died in 1996 at the age of 61 as a result of Parkinson's disease.[13]
Short film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | A Christmas Memory | Frank Perry | Segment ofTrilogy; With Vincent Saizis andConrad Hall |
Feature film
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 | WithRobert 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 |
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