Barry Sonnenfeld
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: "(When asked about his fear of flying) "Everytime I get off a plane, I view it as a failed suicide attempt․""
- Quote: "The secret to good comedy id the two-shot, which shows action and reaction in the same shot․"
- 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 PrizeNominated
- 1992Hugo - Best Dramatic Presentation:Nominated
- 1994Hugo - Best Dramatic Presentation:Nominated
- 1996Golden Berlin BearNominated
- 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