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Victor J. Kemper

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Victor J. Kemper
Born
Victor Jay Kemper

(1927-04-14)April 14, 1927
DiedNovember 27, 2023(2023-11-27) (aged 96)
OccupationCinematographer
Years active1967–2006
Notable workDog Day Afternoon
Slap Shot
The Jerk
Clue
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Spouse
Claire Kellerman
(m. 1953)
Children2
President of the American Society of Cinematographers
In office
1993–1996
Preceded byWilliam A. Fraker
Succeeded byOwen Roizman
In office
1999–2001
Preceded byWoody Omens
Succeeded bySteven B. Poster

Victor Jay Kemper (April 14, 1927 – November 27, 2023)[1] was an American cinematographer.

Life and career

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Victor Jay Kemper was born in Newark, New Jersey, on April 14, 1927, as the son of Florence (née Freedman) and Louis Kemper.[2] He was a graduate of Seton Hall University.

As a cinematographer, Kemper collaborated extensively with director Arthur Hiller. Kemper worked with the leading directors of the 1970s including John Cassavetes, Sidney Lumet, Anthony Harvey, Michael Ritchie, Ulu Grosbard, Peter Yates, Karel Reisz, Elaine May, J. Lee Thompson, Elia Kazan, George Roy Hill, Robert Wise, Carl Reiner, Bob Rafelson, Irvin Kershner, Richard Attenborough, and Norman Jewison.

Kemper was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), and was its president twice, from 1993 to 1996, and from 1999 to 2001.

Kemper died in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, on November 27, 2023, at the age of 96.[3]

Filmography

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Director of photography

Film

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Year Film Director Notes Ref.
1970 The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart Leonard Horn
Husbands John Cassavetes
1971 They Might Be Giants Anthony Harvey
Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Ulu Grosbard
The Hospital Arthur Hiller Second collaboration with Arthur Hiller
1972 The Candidate Michael Ritchie
Last of the Red Hot Lovers Gene Saks
1973 Shamus Buzz Kulik
The Friends of Eddie Coyle Peter Yates
Gordon's War Ossie Davis
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Fielder Cook
1974 The Gambler Karel Reisz
1975 The Reincarnation of Peter Proud J. Lee Thompson
Dog Day Afternoon Sidney Lumet
1976 Stay Hungry Bob Rafelson
The Last Tycoon Elia Kazan
Mikey and Nicky Elaine May
1977 Slap Shot George Roy Hill
Audrey Rose Robert Wise
Oh, God! Carl Reiner First collaboration with Carl Reiner
1978 Coma Michael Crichton
The One and Only Carl Reiner Second collaboration with Carl Reiner
Eyes of Laura Mars Irvin Kershner
Magic Richard Attenborough
1979 ...And Justice for All Norman Jewison
The Jerk Carl Reiner Third collaboration with Carl Reiner
1980 Night of the Juggler Robert Butler
The Final Countdown Don Taylor
Xanadu Robert Greenwald
1981 The Four Seasons Alan Alda
Chu Chu and the Philly Flash David Lowell Rich
1982 Partners James Burrows
Author! Author! Arthur Hiller Third collaboration with Arthur Hiller
1983 Mr. Mom Stan Dragoti
Vacation Harold Ramis
1984 The Lonely Guy Arthur Hiller Fourth collaboration with Arthur Hiller
Cloak & Dagger Richard Franklin First collaboration with Richard Franklin
1985 Secret Admirer David Greenwalt
Pee-wee's Big Adventure Tim Burton
Clue Jonathan Lynn
1987 Walk Like a Man Melvin Frank
1988 Hot to Trot Michael Dinner
Cohen and Tate Eric Red
1989 See No Evil, Hear No Evil Arthur Hiller Fifth collaboration with Arthur Hiller
1990 Crazy People Tony Bill
1991 F/X2 Richard Franklin Second collaboration with Richard Franklin
Another You Maurice Phillips
Married to It Arthur Hiller Sixth collaboration with Arthur Hiller
1992 Beethoven Brian Levant First collaboration with Brian Levant
1995 Tommy Boy Peter Segal
1996 Eddie Steve Rash First collaboration with Steve Rash
Jingle All the Way Brian Levant Second collaboration with Brian Levant

Camera and electrical department

Year Film Director Role Notes
1967 The Tiger Makes Out Arthur Hiller Camera operator First collaboration with Arthur Hiller
1969 Alice's Restaurant Arthur Penn
1985 European Vacation Amy Heckerling Director of photography: USA

Direct-to-video films

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Year Film Director Notes
2005 American Pie Presents: Band Camp Steve Rash Second collaboration with Steve Rash
2006 Bring It On: All or Nothing Third collaboration with Steve Rash

Documentaries

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Thanks

Year Film Director Role
1992 Visions of Light
Special thanks: AFI
2004 Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen Michael Palm Thanks

TV movies

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Year Film Director
1977 The Prince of Central Park Harvey Hart
1985 The Atlanta Child Murders John Erman
1987 Kojak: The Price of Justice Alan Metzger
1999 Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke John Erman
2001 On Golden Pond

TV series

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Year Title Notes
1985 The Atlanta Child Murders 2 episodes
1999 Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke 4 episodes

Awards and nominations

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Institution Year Category Work Result
Primetime Emmy Awards 1987 Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special Kojak: The Price of Justice Nominated
American Society of Cinematographers 1988 Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Mini-Series or Specials Nominated
1998 Lifetime Achievement Award Won

References

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  1. ^ "In Memoriam: Victor J. Kemper (1927-2023)". The American Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  2. ^ "Victor J. Kemper Biography (1927-)". Film Reference. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  3. ^ Barnes, Mike (November 28, 2023). "Victor J. Kemper, Cinematographer on 'Dog Day Afternoon', 'Husbands' and 'The Jerk,' Dies at 96". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Canby, Vincent (June 10, 1971). "Zany Role for George Scott:' They Might Be Giants' Opens at Beekman". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  5. ^ Canby, Vincent (November 8, 1978). "Film: Dummy Takes Over in 'Magic':Wooden Handed". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  6. ^ Maslin, Janet (December 14, 1979). "Movie: Steve Martin Stars in 'The Jerk':Birthday Surprise". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  7. ^ Maslin, Janet (August 9, 1980). "MISS NEWTON-JOHN IN 'XANADU'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
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