Born in Michigan, USA. Entered films directly out of high school in the mid-20s as an assistant in the special-effects branch of Paramount's camera department. He took nearly 30 years to graduate to director of photography but made the most of the opportunity, winning an Academy Award for the cinematography of the classic Western SHANE (1953) just two years after making the grade as a lighting cameraman. Notable non-nominated credits include: (as ass't camera) THE LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED and LADIES OF THE MOB (both 1928); (as 2nd unit d.p.) TRIPOLI (1950), THE NAKED JUNGLE (1954), A NEW KIND OF LOVE (1963) and PAINT YOUR WAGON (1969); (special effects - process photography) GAMBLING SHIP (1933, uncredited), THE SEARCHING WIND (1946, uncredited), LADIES' MAN (1947), WOMAN ON THE RUN (1950), A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951) and LITTLE BOY LOST (1953); (as cinematographer) ELEPHANT WALK and WHITE CHRISTMAS (both 1954), THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI and WE'RE NO ANGELS (both 1955), THAT CERTAIN FEELING (1956), THE BUSTER KEATON STORY, THE SAD SACK and TIN STAR (all 1957), THE BUCCANEER, TONKA and HOT SPELL (all 1958), THE HANGMAN and THE JAYHAWKERS! (both 1959), VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET, WALK LIKE A DRAGON and G.I. BLUES (all 1960), MAN-TRAP, LOVE IN A GOLDFISH BOWL and BLUEPRINT FOR ROBBERY (all 1961), GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! (1962), PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION (1963), TICKLE ME and THE SLENDER THREAD (both 1965), THE NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY (1966), HURRY SUNDOWN, THE YOUNG WARRIORS and BANNING (all 1967), P.J. and IN ENEMY COUNTRY (both 1968), ...tick...tick...tick... (1970) and his last film, BUNNY O'HARE (1971).  Special Award 1938: For outstanding achievement in creating special effects in the Paramount production, SPAWN OF THE NORTH. Winners presented Plaques. (w. Farciot Edouart for Transparencies)  Cinematography (Color) 1953: SHANE  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1956: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1965: THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (w. William C. Mellor)  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1965: IN HARM'S WAY 4 nominations, 1 Award, 1 Special Award