Born in Tolmezzo (Udine) North Italy. He began his career at RAI (Italian TV), but before that he spent a lot of time in Kenya as cinematographer for his uncle. In 1985 the producer Dino De Laurentiis offered a chance to work in the US for the first time with Michael Mann's MANHUNTER (1986). From that experience Spinotti became one of most appreciated cinematographers in Hollywood. His particular vision gives a movie a great sense of reality. Other feature film credits include CRIMES OF THE HEART (1986), BEACHES (1988), THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS (1990), TRUE COLORS, HUDSON HAWK and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY (all 1991), THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (1992), BLINK and NELL (both 1994), THE QUICK AND THE DEAD and HEAT (both 1995), THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES (1996), L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997), THE OTHER SISTER, THE INSIDER and GOODBYE LOVER (all 1999), WONDER BOYS and THE FAMILY MAN (both 2000), BANDITS (2001), RED DRAGON and PINOCCHIO (both 2002), AFTER THE SUNSET (2004), X-MEN: THE LAST STAND and THE CONTRACT (both 2006), SLIPSTREAM (2007), DECEPTION and FLASH OF GENIUS (both 2008), PUBLIC ENEMIES (scheduled for release in 2009), and THE CHONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (scheduled for 2010). Spinotti is a member of the ASC. He is married and lives between L.A, Rome and Tolmezzo.  Nominated for Achievement in Cinematography 1997: L.A. CONFIDENTIAL  Nominated for Achievement in Cinematography 1999: THE INSIDER 2 nominations