Jordan Cronenweth

Jordan Cronenweth
Born
Jordan Scott Cronenweth

(1935-02-20)February 20, 1935
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 29, 1996(1996-11-29) (aged 61)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active1962–1992
ChildrenJeff Cronenweth

Jordan Scott Cronenweth, ASC (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 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.[citation needed]

Illness and death

In 1978, Cronenweth was at first misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis,[citation needed] and in 1981, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.[citation needed]

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

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 Henderson
1972 Cry for Me, Billy William A. Graham
Play It as It Lays Frank Perry
1974 The Nickel Ride Robert Mulligan
Zandy's Bride Jan Troell
The Front Page Billy Wilder
1976 Gable and Lombard Sidney J. Furie
1977 Handle with Care Jonathan Demme
Rolling Thunder John Flynn
1980 Altered States Ken Russell
1981 Cutter's Way Ivan Passer
1982 Best Friends Norman Jewison
Blade Runner Ridley Scott
1986 Just Between Friends Allan Burns
Peggy Sue Got Married Francis Ford Coppola
1987 Gardens of Stone
1990 State of Grace Phil Joanou
1992 Final Analysis

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 With Robert Paynter

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Title Result
1982 British Academy Film Awards Best Cinematography Blade Runner Won
British Society of Cinematographers Best Cinematography Nominated
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Cinematography Won
New York Film Critics Circle Best Cinematographer Nominated
1986 Academy Awards Best Cinematography Peggy Sue Got Married Nominated
American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Won

References

  1. ↑ Lightman, Herb A. and Richard Patterson (March 1999). Cinematography for Blade Runner. Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine American Cinematographer
  2. ↑ ""Oh, My...." Cinematography: Blade Runner". "Oh, My...." Cinematography. Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  3. ↑ "The Cinematography of "Blade Runner" (1982) – Evan E. Richards". Evan E. Richards. 2009-07-23. Archived from the original on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  4. ↑ "Cinematography for Blade Runner - page 1". theasc.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  5. ↑ "Blade Runner: The Cinematography of Jordan Cronenweth". DIY Photography. 2014-04-17. Archived from the original on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  6. ↑ "Blade Runner: The Cinematography of Jordan Cronenweth". DIY Photography. 2014-04-17. Archived from the original on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  7. ↑ "ICG Announces Top 10 Influential Cinematographers". Creative Planet Network. 2014-06-09. Archived from the original on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  8. 1 2 3 "JORDAN CRONENWETH". www.cinematographers.nl. Archived from the original on 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  9. 1 2 Galloway, Doug (1996-12-18). "Cronenweth, d.p. on 'Blade Runner,' dies". Variety. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  10. ↑ "A Lifetime of Achievement: Conrad Hall, ASC". The American Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  11. ↑ Ryan, Mike (2011-01-26). "Jeff Cronenweth on His Oscar Nomination for The Social Network and Joining His Late Father as a Nominee". Movieline.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-10. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-07-06. Retrieved 2015-06-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ↑ Staff report (December 25, 1996). Memorial Service Set for Cronenweth. Los Angeles Times
  14. ↑ Staff report (October 17, 2003). Cinematographers pick their Top 11. Los Angeles Times
  15. ↑ "Top 10 Most Influential Cinematographers Voted on by Camera Guild," October 16, 2003. Archived January 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 28, 2011.