Born in Alhambra, CA. One of his hobbies during his elementary school days was building miniature sets. Moreover, Cundey was an avid reader of American Cinematographer magazine as a kid. He attended UCLA Film School and was taught by famous cameraman James Wong Howe. Following graduation in 1968, Cundey initially worked on various non-union low-budget pictures as a gaffer, editor, or production manager. Cundey built himself a handy super van complete with packaged equipment, camera and a crew in order to get work early in his burgeoning career. A lighting cameraman from the mid-1970s, he worded frequently with director John Carpenter (HALOWEEN, 1978; THE FOG, 1980; ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, 1981; THE THING, 1982; and BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, 1986), and during the 80s gradually developed into one of Hollywood's leading cinematographers (ROMANCING THE STONE, 1984; BACK TO THE FUTURE PARTS I, II & III, 1985-1990; HOOK, 1991; DEATH BECOMES HER, 1992; JURASSIC PARK, 1993; APOLLO 13, 1995; and WHAT WOMEN WANT, 2000). He was nominated for an Academy Award for WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988). More recent credits include LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION (2003), GARFIELD (2004), THE HOLIDAY (2006), WHISPER (2007) and SAKURA: BLUE-EYED SAMURAI (scheduled for 2008). His son is visual effects supervisor Christopher Cundey.  Nominated for Achievement in Cinematography 1988: WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT 1 nomination