Special photographic effects cinematographer who entered American film as an optical cinematographer for Henry Hathaway's SPAWN OF THE NORTH (1938) at Paramount. Other optical credits include UNION PACIFIC (1939), DR. CYCLOPS and TYPHOON (both 1940), I WANTED WINGS and ALOMA OF THE SOUTH SEAS (both 1941), REAP THE WILD WIND (1942), THE STORY OF DR. WASSELL (1944), WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (1951), THE BRIDGES OF TOKO-RI (1954), THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956), and VERTIGO and THE BUCCANEER (both 1958). Lerpae's special effects credits range from SO PROUDLY WE HAIL! (1943) to PROJECT X and THE ODD COUPLE (both 1968).  Scientific or Technical Awards (Class III) 1944: For the design and construction of the Paramount traveling matte projection and photographing device.  Nominated for Special Effects 1947: UNCONQUERED - Visual (w. Farciot Edouart, Devereux Jennings, Gordon Jennings & W. Wallace Kelley)  Nominated for Special Effects 1950: SAMSON AND DELILAH - Photographic (No credits listed, but film credits Paul K. Lerpae, Gordon Jennings & Devereaux Jennings)  Special Effects 1953 [Special Award]: THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - [No credit listed, but film credits Paul K. Lerpae (visual)] 3 nominations, 1 Special Award, 1 Scientific/Technical Award