Haskell Wexler Biography

Fast Facts

• In 1993, he was the first active cameraman to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers
• One of only five cinematographers to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Was the father of filmmaker Mark Wexler and the subject of his 2004 documentary "Tell Them Who You Are․"
• After his tour in the U․S․ Merchant Marines during WWII and one year of college prior to his service, he decided to become a filmmaker based in Chicago, Ill
• In his early career, he apprenticed for cinematographer James Wong Howe as a camera operator
• Quote: "When I got my Academy Award for 'Virginia Woolf' in the middle of the Vietnam War, I said, 'I hope we can use our art for peace and love' ․․․ at that time those were revolutionary words․ And I think they came from a deep place․"
• Best known as one of the most influential cinematographers in film history who worked on "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "In the Heat of the Night․"