# Jordan Cronenweth

Jordan Scott Cronenweth, ASC (February 20, 1935 – November 29, 1996) was an American cinematographer.
Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential cinematographers of all time, he is best remembered for his BAFTA Award-winning work on the groundbreaking science fiction film Blade Runner, which is credited for codifying the cyberpunk aesthetic.
In 1987, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and he received an ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases for his work on Peggy Sue Got Married.

## Style

A contemporary of Conrad L. Hall, his style consisted 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.

## Education

Born in Los Angeles on February 20, 1935, Cronenweth went to North Hollywood High School in North Hollywood and later was a student at Los Angeles City College. He majored 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 received 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.
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, Tim, and two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth. Jordan Cronenwerth's second marriage was to Shane Cronenweth for 17 years.

## Illness and death

Jordan Cronenweth was originally misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978, and 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.
He was replaced six weeks into the production of Alien 3 after falling ill, and died in 1996 at the age of 61 as a result of Parkinson's disease.

## 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 |
| 1972 | Play It as It Lays | Frank Perry |
| 1974 | The Nickel Ride | Robert Mulligan |
| 1974 | Zandy's Bride | Jan Troell |
| 1974 | The Front Page | Billy Wilder |
| 1976 | Gable and Lombard | Sidney J. Furie |
| 1977 | Handle with Care | Jonathan Demme |
| 1977 | Rolling Thunder | John Flynn |
| 1980 | Altered States | Ken Russell |
| 1981 | Cutter's Way | Ivan Passer |
| 1982 | Best Friends | Norman Jewison |
| 1982 | Blade Runner | Ridley Scott |
| 1986 | Just Between Friends | Allan Burns |
| 1986 | Peggy Sue Got Married | Francis Ford Coppola |
| 1987 | Gardens of Stone | Francis Ford Coppola |
| 1990 | State of Grace | Phil Joanou |
| 1992 | Final Analysis | Phil Joanou |
* ↑ With Lamar Boren
TV movies
| Year | Title | Director |
| 1973 | Birds of Prey | William A. Graham |
| 1977 | One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story | William A. Graham |
| 1978 | And I Alone Survived | William A. Graham |
| 1979 | Transplant | William A. Graham |
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 | BAFTA Awards | Best Cinematography | Blade Runner | Won |
| 1982 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Blade Runner | Won |
| 1982 | New York Film Critics Circle | Best Cinematographer | Blade Runner | Won |
| 1982 | British Society of Cinematographers | Best Cinematography | Blade Runner | Nominated |
| 1986 | Academy Awards | Best Cinematography | Peggy Sue Got Married | Nominated |
| 1986 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography | Peggy Sue Got Married | Won |