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Barry Sonnenfeld Biography

Birth Name:Barry Sonnenfeld

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Actor, Camera department, Writer, Sound department, Assistant director

Fast Facts

  • Earned a bachelor's degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass
  • Graduated from the New York University of Film School in 1978
  • Began his professional career working on adult-oriented films, which is where he claims to have "refined" his craft
  • Quote: "The secret to good comedy id the two-shot, which shows action and reaction in the same shot․"
  • Quote: "(When asked about his fear of flying) "Everytime I get off a plane, I view it as a failed suicide attempt․""
  • Has gained a reputation for working on niche films that manage to earn mainstream recognition
  • Survived a plane crash when a Gulfstream II executive jet ran off the runway at the Van Nuys, Cali․, airport and collided with several nearby aircraft before catching fire

Awards

  • 1985Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: winner
  • 1986Independent Spirit Award-Best Cinematography: nominated
  • 1992Grand Prize-: nominated
  • 1992Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: nominated
  • 1994Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: nominated
  • 1996Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
  • 1998Saturn Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 1998Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: nominated
  • 1998Readers' Choice Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
  • 1999Stinker Award-Worst Sense of Direction (Stop them before they direct again!): nominated
  • 2000Razzie Award-Worst Director: winner
  • 2008DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series: winner
  • 2008Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Episode of the Year: winner
  • 2008INOCA TV-Best Episode of a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Episode of the Decade: nominated
  • 2011Felix-Best Cinematography: nominated
  • 2012Rondo Statuette-Best Film: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Program: nominated
  • 2019DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Program: nominated
  • 2020DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs: nominated