Born in New York City. Entered films at 14 as an office boy at the Lasky Players New York headquarters, and at 15 became an assistant cameraman. Made his first film, as a lighting cameraman, at 19, taking over the duties of an absent director of photography, and went on to become one of Hollywood's leading cinematographers. He was among the trend setters in the gradual switch from harsh contrast to subler, more softly lighted black-and-white cinematography. He was responsible for the remarkable photography of Mamoullian's APPLAUSE (1929) and was behind the camera on many glossy MGM productions in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Director of photography on 160 feature films, he was the recipient of the first Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Society of Cinematographers in 1988. His son, George Folsey, Jr., is a film editor and producer.  Nominated for Cinematography 1932-33: REUNION IN VIENNA  Nominated for Cinematography 1934: OPERATOR 13  Nominated for Cinematography 1936: THE GORGEOUS HUSSY  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1943: THOUSANDS CHEER  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1944: MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1944: THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1946: THE GREEN YEARS  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1947: GREEN DOLPHIN STREET  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1952: MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1953: ALL THE BROTHERS WERE VALIANT  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1954: SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1954: EXECUTIVE SUITE  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1963: THE BALCONY 13 nominations