Victor Jay Kemper (April 14, 1927 – November 27, 2023) was an American cinematographer.
Victor J. Kemper | |
|---|---|
| Born | Victor Jay Kemper April 14, 1927 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | November 27, 2023 (aged 96) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 1967–2006 |
| Notable work | Dog Day Afternoon Slap Shot The Jerk Clue Pee-wee's Big Adventure |
| Spouse | Claire Kellerman (m. 1953) |
| Children | 2 |
| President of the American Society of Cinematographers | |
| In office 1993–1996 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Fraker |
| Succeeded by | Owen Roizman |
| In office 1999–2001 | |
| Preceded by | Woody Omens |
| Succeeded by | Steven B. Poster |
Life and career edit
Victor Jay Kemper was born in Newark, New Jersey, on April 14, 1927, as the son of Florence (née Freedman) and Louis Kemper.[1] He was a graduate of Seton Hall University.
As a cinematographer, Kemper collaborated extensively with director Arthur Hiller. Kemper worked with the leading directors of the 1970s including John Cassavetes, Sidney Lumet, Anthony Harvey, Michael Ritchie, Ulu Grosbard, Peter Yates, Karel Reisz, Elaine May, J. Lee Thompson, Elia Kazan, George Roy Hill, Robert Wise, Carl Reiner, Bob Rafelson, Irvin Kershner, Richard Attenborough, and Norman Jewison.
Kemper was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), and was its president twice, from 1993 to 1996, and from 1999 to 2001.
Kemper died in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, on November 27, 2023, at the age of 96.[2]
Filmography edit
- The Tiger Makes Out (1967) (as camera operator)
- Alice's Restaurant (1969) (as camera operator)
- The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart (1970)
- Husbands (1970)
- They Might Be Giants (1971)[3]
- Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? (1971)
- The Hospital (1971)
- The Candidate (1972)
- Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972)
- Shamus (1973)
- The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
- Gordon's War (1973)
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973)
- The Gambler (1974)
- The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
- Stay Hungry (1976)
- The Last Tycoon (1976)
- Mikey and Nicky (1976)
- Slap Shot (1977)
- Audrey Rose (1977)
- The Prince of Central Park (1977, TV film)
- Oh, God! (1977)
- Coma (1978)
- The One and Only (1978)
- Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)
- Magic (1978)[4]
- ...And Justice for All (1979)
- The Jerk (1979)[5]
- Night of the Juggler (1980)
- The Final Countdown (1980)
- Xanadu (1980)[6]
- The Four Seasons (1981)
- Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981)
- Partners (1982)
- Author! Author! (1982)
- Mr. Mom (1983)
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
- The Lonely Guy (1984)
- Cloak and Dagger (1984)
- Secret Admirer (1985)
- National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
- Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
- Clue (1985)
- The Atlanta Child Murders (1985, TV mini-series)
- Kojak: The Price of Justice (1987, TV film)
- Walk Like a Man (1987)
- Hot to Trot (1988)
- Cohen and Tate (1988)
- See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)
- Crazy People (1990)
- F/X2 (1991)
- Another You (1991)
- Married to It (1991)
- Beethoven (1992)
- Tommy Boy (1995)
- Eddie (1996)
- Jingle All the Way (1996)
- Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (1999, TV film)
- On Golden Pond (2001, TV film)
- American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005)
- Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)
Awards and nominations edit
| Institution | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 1987 | Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special | Kojak: The Price of Justice | Nominated |
| American Society of Cinematographers | 1988 | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Mini-Series or Specials | Nominated | |
| 1998 | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
References edit
- ^ "Victor J. Kemper Biography (1927-)". Film Reference. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (November 28, 2023). "Victor J. Kemper, Cinematographer on 'Dog Day Afternoon', 'Husbands' and 'The Jerk,' Dies at 96". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (June 10, 1971). "Zany Role for George Scott:' They Might Be Giants' Opens at Beekman". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (November 8, 1978). "Film: Dummy Takes Over in 'Magic':Wooden Handed". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (December 14, 1979). "Movie: Steve Martin Stars in 'The Jerk':Birthday Surprise". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (August 9, 1980). "MISS NEWTON-JOHN IN 'XANADU'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.