Don Ornitz (February 29, 1920 – January 14, 1972) was an American photographer.
Life and career Ornitz was born in New York City, to parents Sadie (née Lesser) and screenwriter Samuel Ornitz, one of the Hollywood Ten accused of Communism. As were many members of the entertainment community including Don's father, Samuel Ornitz was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, but refused to testify and was fined $1,000. Don's brother was a cinematographer Arthur J. Ornitz. In 1928, the family moved to California, where he spent most of his life.Ornitz, D. (1962). Living photography. New York: Maco.
Career Ornitz photographed many celebrities,Paglia, Camille. (1995). The Lives They Lived: Elizabeth Montgomery;The Good Witch.(Magazine Desk). The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Dec 31, 1995. including Raquel Welch, Inger Stevens, Frank Sinatra, Walt Disney, and Audrey Hepburn. Don Ornitz (photographs) Oh What Sights-Water Sprites! In Life, 26 Apr 1963, Vol. 54, No. 17, ISSN 0024-3019, Published by Time Inc. His obituary in Popular Photography magazine called him "the Titan of the Hollywood photographers".'Tribute to Don Ornitz 1920-1972'. In Popular Photography, Volume 71, page 4
He was also a photographer for several magazines, including Playboy, Travel and Camera,Travel and Camera, Volume 29, p.10, 42, 61, U.S. Camera Publishing Corporation, 1966 The Saturday Evening Post, Look, Pageant, Globe, Sports IllustratedThe Photographers: The best shooters are as competitive as the athletes they cover, so SI helps them keep score (and, yes, this list includes Joe DiMaggio, but, no, it's not the Yankee Clipper).(50th Anniversary/The Covers) Sports Illustrated, Nov 10, 2003, Vol.99(18), p.153 and Life.'Elements of a New Trend'. In Life, 27 Jan 1958, Vol. 44, No. 4, p.61-64, ISSN 0024-3019'Everything's on the block'. In Life, 22 May 1970, Vol. 68, No. 19, p.46, 47, ISSN 0024-3019'Mirage-style Lingerie'. In Life, Volume 63, Issues 1-4, p.44-51, Time Incorporated, 1967
His photograph of boys catching insects on a windowpane was selected by Edward Steichen for the 1955 Museum of Modern Art world-touring exhibition The Family of Man that was seen by 9 million visitors.
Ornitz died January 14, 1972, in Los Angeles County, California.
Books by Don Ornitz
Ornitz, D. (1962) Living Photography, Maco. Basch, P., Gowland, P., & Ornitz, D. (1958). Candid Photography. Fawcett Publications: Greenwich, Conn.
References