by Conan Simmons – September 22, 2020 – 8:50 pm
Famed cinematographer who earned two Oscar nominations, Michael Chapman has passed away at the age of 84. Born in New York City November 21, 1935 Chapman would lend his eye to many classic films from the 1970’s to the 2000’s. He passed away in Los Angeles, California on September 20, 2020.
He first became a director of photography on 1973’s ‘The Last Detail’ before teaming up with Martin Scorsese on multiple films, most notably 1976’s ‘Taxi Driver’ and 1980’s ‘Raging Bull’, the latter earning him his first Oscar nomination.
He would again be nominated for the classic action-adventure thriller ‘The Fugitive’ in 1993. He would follow that success with the animated-live action comedy ‘Space Jam’ in 1996.
Not only was he a notable cinematographer but also directed a few features, most notably his directorial debut starring Tom Cruise in 1983, ‘All the Right Moves’.
Appearing as an actor in bit parts in several movies he worked on, he was also a camera operator for classic films ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Jaws’. In 1982, he was uncredited cinematographer for the prologue of cult classic ‘The Slumber Party Massacre’.
His last film credit as cinematographer came in 2007’s ‘Bridge to Terabithia’.
The American Society of Cinematographers gave Michael Chapman the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.