Born in Kansas City, Kansas. Entered films as a lab assistant and in the 1920s joined Paramount's camera department. As a lighting cameraman from the early 1940s, he was responsible for many quality productions of Paramount and other studios. His work is noted for its bold black and white and lavish color photography. In addition to his nominated films, other notable cinematography credits include Paramount's "Henry Aldrich" series of features (1943-1944), KITTY (1945), TO EACH HIS OWN (1946), GOLDEN EARRINGS (1947), THE BIG CLOCK (1948), THE LEMON DROP KID (1951), THE STOOGE (1952), THE CADDY (1953), ARTISTS AND MODELS (1955), THE JOKER IS WILD (1957), LI'L ABNER and ON THE BEACH (both 1959), BACHELOR FLAT and THE PIGEON THAT TOOK ROME (both 1962), THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963), and OUR MAN FLINT and SPINOUT (both 1966).  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1958: DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1959: THE FIVE PENNIES  Cinematography (Color) 1961: WEST SIDE STORY  Nominated for Cinematography (Black & White) 1961: ONE, TWO, THREE  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1964: THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN  Nominated for Cinematography 1968: ICE STATION ZEBRA  Nominated for Cinematography 1969: MAROONED 7 nominations, 1 Award