Jordan Scott Cronenweth, (February 20, 1935 – November 29, 1996) was an American cinematographer.
He was known for his work on the groundbreaking science fiction film Blade Runner (1982),Lightman, Herb A. and Richard Patterson (March 1999). Cinematography for Blade Runner. American Cinematographer which earned him the BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography, while also being credited for defining the cyberpunk aesthetic.
Additional accolades also include a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Peggy Sue Got Married (1986).
Early life and education Cronenweth was born in Los Angeles.
His father was William Edward Cronenweth, a studio portrait photographer who worked with many famous actors during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
He graduated from North Hollywood High School before attending at the Los Angeles City College, where he majored in engineering.
Career While still in college, Cronenweth interned as a film lab assistant at Columbia Pictures and acted as a cameraman on the 1955 musical film Oklahoma!. Between 1961 and 1969, he was a camera assistant and later camera operator under Conrad Hall's guidance.
His early cinematography credits included Robert Altman's Brewster McCloud and the low-budget horror film The Touch of Satan. During the 1970s, Cronenweth worked on a variety of projects at varying budget levels, including The Front Page for director Billy Wilder, and the dark psychological thriller Rolling Thunder.
Cronenweth was initially hired as the director of photography for The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, but producers replaced him with Fred J. Koenekamp halfway through production.
Cronenweth also shot three concert films - Stop Making Sense (1984, featuring Talking Heads), Rattle and Hum (1988, featuring U2), and Get Back (1991, featuring Paul McCartney).
Personal life He and his first wife Carol had three children, Christie, Tim, and two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth. Jordan Cronenweth's second marriage was to Shane Cronenweth for 17 years.
Illness and death In 1978, Cronenweth was at first misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and in 1981, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Despite considerable physical challenges, Cronenweth continued working for another 13 years, until his condition caught up to him. On the tumultuous production of Alien 3, Cronenweth worked on the first six weeks before his health deteriorated. Leaving him unable to continue working, Alex Thomson was brought in as replacement.
Cronenweth died in 1996 at the age of 61.Staff report (December 25, 1996). Memorial Service Set for Cronenweth. Los Angeles Times
Legacy A 2003 poll of his peers conducted by the International Cinematographers Guild placed Cronenweth among the ten most influential cinematographers of all time.Staff report (October 17, 2003). Cinematographers pick their Top 11. Los Angeles Times"Top 10 Most Influential Cinematographers Voted on by Camera Guild," October 16, 2003. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
Allen Daviau called him "without question, one of the outstanding cinematographers of his generation."
Filmography Short film Year Title Director Notes 1969 A Christmas Memory Frank Perry Segment of Trilogy;With Vincent Saizis and Conrad Hall
Feature film Year Title Director 1970 Brewster McCloud Robert Altman 1971 The Touch of Satan Don Henderson1972 Cry for Me, Billy William A. Graham Play It as It Lays Frank Perry1974 The Nickel Ride Robert Mulligan Zandy's Bride Jan Troell The Front Page Billy Wilder 1976 Gable and Lombard Sidney J. Furie1977 Handle with Care Jonathan Demme Rolling Thunder John Flynn 1980 Altered States Ken Russell 1981 Cutter's Way Ivan Passer1982 Best Friends Norman Jewison Blade Runner Ridley Scott1986 Just Between Friends Allan Burns Peggy Sue Got MarriedFrancis Ford Coppola 1987 Gardens of Stone 1990 State of GracePhil Joanou 1992 Final Analysis
TV movies Year Title Director 1973 Birds of PreyWilliam 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
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Title Result1982 British Academy Film Awards Best CinematographyBlade Runner British Society of Cinematographers Best Cinematography Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Cinematography New York Film Critics Circle Best Cinematographer 1986 Academy Awards Best CinematographyPeggy Sue Got Married American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography
References
External links
BRmovie.com – Jordan Cronenweth Profile