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), 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.

Legacy

A 2003 poll of his peers conducted by the International Cinematographers Guild placed Cronenweth among the ten most influential cinematographers of all time.

Allen Daviau called him "without question, one of the outstanding cinematographers of his generation."

Filmography

Short film

Feature film

TV movies

Concert film

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• BRmovie.com Jordan Cronenweth Profile