Cinematographer Owen Roizman, ASC–a five-time Academy Award nominee and an honorary Oscar winner–passed away last Friday (1/6) at the age of 86.
Roizman’s Oscar nominations came for The French Connection in 1972, The Exorcist in ‘74, Network in ‘77, Tootsie in ‘83 and Wyatt Earp in 1995.
On the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2019, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) selected the top 100 best shot films of all time. Ranked 10th was The French Connection. Of that ranking, the ASC wrote:
“Based on actual events, director William Friedkin’s iconic crime film was shot entirely on location and became known for its ‘gritty New York style.’ Famously, many viewers assumed the naturalistic cinematography was achieved with ‘available light’–meaning employing whatever sources the filmmakers found on site. ‘Yeah, it was shot with available light,’ cinematographer Owen Roizman, ASC would later joke. ‘Everything that was available on the truck! We shot in a lot of very difficult, dark locations–subway stations, bars, hotel rooms–and they all required extensive lighting, but the key was to make the film look very natural, which supported this true story. Becoming too expressive or theatrical would have undermined our story approach.’ Roizman earned an Oscar nomination for his expert cinematography that remains a major influence on the crime genre.”
In 1997 the ASC honored Roizman with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He also was a Primetime Emmy nominee in 1973 for the Liza Minnelli variety special Liza with a Z.
Roizman’s filmography includes collaborations with such directors as Sidney Lumet on Network, Friedkin on The French Connection and The Exorcist, Sydney Pollack on Tootsie, Three Days of the Condor, The Electric Horseman, Absence of Malice and Havana, and Lawrence Kasdan on I Love You To Death, Wyatt Earp, Grand Canyon and French Kiss, Among the assorted other notable films shot by Roizman were: The Stepford Wives; Play It Again, Sam; The Taking of Pelham One Two Three; Straight Time; Taps; The Return of a Man Called Horse; The Heartbreak Kid; and True Confessions.
Roizman studied engineering in college but upon graduation, looking to make a decent living, he went into his father Sol’s line of work–cinematography. Owen Roizman worked at a camera rental shop during his college summers so he was well versed in industry gear. He found work as an assistant cameraman and then began shooting commercials. His first feature as a DP was Stop, followed by The French Connection.
In the mid-1980s as he continued to be active as an accomplished feature lenser, Roizman diversified back into commercials, launching Roizman & Associates where he directed and shot hundreds of spots.
In 1997, Roizman served as ASC president. In 2002, Roizman was elected a Governor of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ Cinematographers Branch.
Roizman is survived by his wife, son and sister.
