Jordan Cronenweth


Jordan Scott Cronenweth, was an American cinematographer based in Los Angeles, California. A contemporary of Conrad Hall, he was recognized for his distinctive style of heavily textured, film noir-inspired photography, seen in numerous classic films, including Zandy's Bride, Gable and Lombard, Altered States, and Peggy Sue Got Married. He is perhaps best remembered for his BAFTA Award-winning work on the groundbreaking science fiction film Blade Runner, which is credited as codifying the cyberpunk aesthetic, and is lauded by some as among the best cinematography of all time.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and received an ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases, and he is widely considered one of the most influential cinematographers of all time.
He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers.

Life and career

Born in Los Angeles, California on February 20, 1935, Cronenweth attended North Hollywood High School and later Los Angeles City College, majoring in Engineering. While in college he interned as a film lab assistant at Columbia Pictures and acted as a cameraman on the 1955 musical film Oklahoma!.
His widely acclaimed work on the science fiction-noir Blade Runner won the Best Cinematography Award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and got a BSC Award nomination and BAFTA Film Award. He won a 1987 ASC Award and earned an Academy Award nomination for Peggy Sue Got Married.
Cronenweth was initially hired as the director of photography for The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, but halfway through production producers replaced him with Fred J. Koenekamp.
He was also replaced two weeks into the production of Alien 3 after falling ill, and died in 1996 at the age of 61. The cause of death was Parkinson's disease.
A 2003 poll of his peers conducted by the International Cinematographers Guild placed Cronenweth among the ten most influential cinematographers of all time.

Personal life

He and his first wife Carol had three children, Christie Cronenweth, Tim Cronenweth, and two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth. He was later married to Shane Cronenweth.
Cronenweth was originally misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978, and correctly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1981. 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.

Filmography

YearTitleDirectorNotes
1969TrilogyFrank PerrySegment "A Christmas Memory";
Co-shot with Joseph C. Brun and Conrad Hall
1970Brewster McCloudRobert Altmanwith Lamar Boren
1971The Touch of SatanDon Henderson
1972Cry for Me, BillyWilliam A. Graham
1972Play It as It LaysFrank Perry
1973Birds of PreyWilliam A. GrahamTelevision film
1974The Nickel RideRobert Mulligan
1974Zandy's BrideJan Troell
1974The Front PageBilly Wilder
1976Gable and LombardSidney J. Furie
1977'William A. GrahamTelevision film
1977Handle with CareJonathan Demme
1977Rolling ThunderJohn Flynn
1980Altered StatesKen Russell
1981Cutter's WayIvan Passer
1982Best FriendsNorman Jewison
1982Blade RunnerRidley ScottBAFTA Award for Best Cinematography
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cinematographer
Nominated- British Society of Cinematographers
1984Stop Making SenseJonathan DemmeConcert film
1984The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Across the 8th Dimension		W. D. Richterwith Fred J. Koenekamp
1986Just Between FriendsAllan Burns
1986Peggy Sue Got MarriedFrancis Ford CoppolaASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography
Nominated- Academy Award for Best Cinematography
1987Gardens of StoneFrancis Ford Coppola
1988'Phil JoanouConcert film
1990State of GracePhil Joanou
1991Get BackRichard LesterConcert film
1992Final AnalysisPhil JoanouFinal film

Awards & nominations

Academy Awards