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Robert Surtees (I) (1906–1985)

Robert L. Surtees began his working life as a portrait photographer and retoucher, before becoming camera assistant at Universal in 1927. He spent a lengthy apprenticeship (15 years) working under such experienced cinematographers as Hal Mohr, Joseph Ruttenberg and Gregg Toland. Between 1929 and 1930, he was seconded to the Universal studios in ... See full bio »

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Won 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 14 nominations. See more awards »

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Known For

Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur Cinematographer
(1959)
The Graduate
The Graduate Cinematographer
(1967)
The Last Picture Show
The Last Picture Show Cinematographer
(1971)
The Sting
The Sting Cinematographer
(1973)
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Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Cinematographer (73 credits)
 1978 Same Time, Next Year (director of photography)
 1978 Bloodbrothers (director of photography)
 1977 The Turning Point (director of photography)
 1976 A Star Is Born (director of photography)
 1975 The Hindenburg (director of photography)
 1975 The Great Waldo Pepper (director of photography)
 1973 The Sting (director of photography)
 1973 Oklahoma Crude (director of photography)
 1973 Lost Horizon (director of photography)
 1972 The Other (director of photography - as Robert L. Surtees)
 1972 The Cowboys (director of photography)
 1971 The Last Picture Show (director of photography)
 1971 Summer of '42 (director of photography)
 1970 The Liberation of L.B. Jones (director of photography)
 1970 Two Mules for Sister Sara (uncredited)
 1969 The Arrangement (director of photography)
 1969 Sweet Charity (director of photography)
 1968 Coogan's Bluff (uncredited)
 1967 The Graduate (director of photography)
 1967 Doctor Dolittle (director of photography)
 1966 Lost Command (director of photography)
 1965 The Third Day (director of photography)
 1965 The Hallelujah Trail (director of photography)
 1965 The Collector (director of photography: in Hollywood - as Robert L. Surtees)
 1965 The Satan Bug (director of photography)
 1964 Kisses for My President (director of photography)
 1963 PT 109 (director of photography - as Robert L. Surtees)
 1962 Mutiny on the Bounty (director of photography - as Robert L. Surtees)
 1960 Cimarron (director of photography - as Robert L. Surtees)
 1960 It Started in Naples (as Robert L. Surtees)
 1959 Ben-Hur (director of photography - as Robert L. Surtees)
 1958 The Law and Jake Wade (director of photography)
 1958 Merry Andrew (director of photography)
 1957 Raintree County (director of photography)
 1957 Les Girls (director of photography)
 1956 The Swan (director of photography)
 1956 Tribute to a Bad Man (director of photography)
 1955 Oklahoma! (director of photography)
 1955 Trial (director of photography)
 1954 Valley of the Kings (director of photography)
 1954 The Long, Long Trailer (director of photography)
 1953 Escape from Fort Bravo (director of photography)
 1953 Mogambo (director of photography)
 1953 Ride, Vaquero! (director of photography)
 1952 The Bad and the Beautiful (director of photography)
 1952 The Merry Widow (director of photography)
 1952 The Wild North (director of photography)
 1951 The Light Touch (director of photography)
 1951 Quo Vadis (director of photography)
 1951 The Strip (director of photography)
 1950 King Solomon's Mines (director of photography)
 1949 Intruder in the Dust (director of photography)
 1949 That Midnight Kiss (director of photography)
 1949 Big Jack (director of photography)
 1948 Act of Violence (director of photography)
 1948 The Kissing Bandit (director of photography)
 1948 A Date with Judy (director of photography)
 1948 Big City (director of photography)
 1948 Tenth Avenue Angel (director of photography)
 1947 The Unfinished Dance (director of photography)
 1946 Two Sisters from Boston (director of photography)
 1945 Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (director of photography)
 1944 Music for Millions (director of photography)
 1944 Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (director of photography)
 1944 Meet the People (director of photography)
 1944 Two Girls and a Sailor (director of photography)
 1943 Lost Angel (director of photography)
 1943 Election Daze (Short)
 1943 Don't You Believe It (Short)
 1943 Nursery Rhyme Mysteries (Short) (as Robert L. Surtees)
 1943 Heavenly Music (Short) (director of photography)
Show Show Camera and Electrical Department (23 credits)
Show Show Additional Crew (1 credit)
Show Show Self (1 credit)
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Personal Details

Publicity Listings:

1 Portrayal | See more »

Alternate Names:

Robert L. Surtees

Spouse:

Maydell  (his death)  (4 children)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on working with Mike Nichols on "The Graduate"]: Mike was the boss. No-one was going to come onto the set and question what he did. They wouldn't dare; he wouldn't stand for it. Which was nice for me. The only man I had to please was Mike Nichols. The director runs the show. He makes the picture. You have one allegiance - not to the studio, not to the producer, but to the director, and that's it.

Trivia:

Father of Bruce Surtees; Tom Surtees; and Nancy Surtees; Grandfather of Suzanne Surtees. Former father-in-law of Judy Rucker and Carol Buby. See more »

Star Sign:

Leo
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