Vilmos Zsigmond (1930–2016)

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Along with László Kovács, a fellow student who fled Hungary in 1956, Zsigmond rose to prominence in the 1970s. He is known for his use of natural light and vivid use of color on features such as The Long Goodbye (1973) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). See full bio »

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 16 nominations. See more awards »

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Known For

Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind Cinematographer
(1977)
The Black Dahlia
The Black Dahlia Cinematographer
(2006)
The Long Goodbye
The Long Goodbye Cinematographer
(1973)
The Deer Hunter
The Deer Hunter Cinematographer
(1978)
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Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Cinematographer (101 credits)
 2014 God the Father (Documentary)
 2012-2014 The Mindy Project (TV Series) (3 episodes)
- Danny and Mindy (2014)
- Girl Next Door (2014)
- Pilot (2012)
 2013/I Compulsion (director of photography)
 2012 Kickstart Theft (Short)
 2011 The Maiden Danced to Death (director of photography)
 2010 Louis
 2007 Cassandra's Dream (director of photography)
 2006 The Black Dahlia (director of photography)
 2006 Surrender, Dorothy (TV Movie)
 2004 Medicine Chest (Video short)
 2004 Jersey Girl (director of photography)
 2002 Bánk bán
 2001 Life as a House (director of photography)
 2001 The Mists of Avalon (TV Mini Series) (2 episodes)
- Episode #1.1 (2001)
- Episode #1.2 (2001)
 2001 The Body (director of photography)
 2000 Ljuset håller mig sällskap (Documentary)
 1999 The Argument (Short)
 1998 Illegal Music
 1998 Sting: Freak the Mighty (Music Video short)
 1998 Playing by Heart (director of photography)
 1997 Fantasy for a New Age (Short)
 1996 The Ghost and the Darkness (director of photography)
 1995 Assassins (director of photography)
 1995 The Crossing Guard (director of photography)
 1994 Maverick (director of photography)
 1994 Intersection (director of photography)
 1993 Sliver
 1992 Stalin (TV Movie) (director of photography)
 1990 The Bonfire of the Vanities (director of photography)
 1990 The Two Jakes (director of photography)
 1989 Fat Man and Little Boy (director of photography)
 1985 Real Genius (director of photography)
 1984 The River (director of photography)
 1984 No Small Affair (director of photography)
 1983 Table for Five (director of photography)
 1982 Jinxed! (director of photography)
 1981 Blow Out (director of photography)
 1980 Heaven's Gate (director of photography)
 1980 Making Xanadu: The Musical Fantasy Movie (TV Movie documentary)
 1979 The Rose (director of photography)
 1979 Flesh & Blood (TV Movie)
 1979 Winter Kills (director of photography)
 1978 The Deer Hunter (director of photography)
 1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (director of photography)
 1976 Obsession (director of photography)
 1976 Death Riders (Documentary)
 1976 Sweet Revenge
 1975 Iron and Horse (Short) (director of photography)
 1975 Funny Lady (uncredited)
 1974 The Girl from Petrovka (director of photography)
 1974 The Sugarland Express (director of photography)
 1973 Cinderella Liberty (director of photography)
 1973 Scarecrow (director of photography)
 1973 The Long Goodbye (photographed by)
 1972 Country Music
 1972 Deliverance (director of photography)
 1972 Images (photography)
 1971 Threshold (Short) (as William Zsigmond)
 1971 The Ski Bum (director of photography)
 1971 The Hired Hand (director of photography)
 1971 McCabe & Mrs. Miller (director of photography)
 1970 Horror of the Blood Monsters (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1969 Five Bloody Graves (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1969 Baja Marimba Band (TV Movie)
 1969 Futz (director of photography)
 1969 The Monitors (director of photography - as William Zsigmund)
 1969 Satan's Sadists (uncredited)
 1969 Hot Rod Action (Documentary) (director of photography)
 1968 Jennie: Wife/Child (as William Zsigmond)
 1968 Prelude (Short)
 1968 The World of Animals: Big Cats, Little Cats (TV Movie documentary)
 1968 The Name of the Game Is Kill! (as William Zsigmond)
 1967 1999 A.D. (Short) (as Willie Zsigmond)
 1967 The Road to Nashville (as William Zsigmund)
 1967 Blood of Ghastly Horror (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1967 Mondo Mod (Documentary) (as William Zsigmond)
 1965 The Market (TV Movie documentary) (as William Zsigmond)
 1965 Rat Fink (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1965 Psycho a Go Go (as William Zsigmond)
 1965 Summer Children (as William Zsigmond)
 1965 Tales of a Salesman (as William Zsigmond)
 1965 Deadwood '76 (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1964 The Nasty Rabbit (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1964 The Time Travelers (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1964 What's Up Front! (as William Zsigmond)
 1963 Story of the Wholesale Produce Market (Documentary short)
 1963 The Sadist (director of photography - as William Zsigmond)
 1957 Ungarn in Flammen (Documentary)
 1956 Hajnal elött (Short)
 1953 A Föld (Short)
Show Show Camera and Electrical Department (13 credits)
Show Show Actor (2 credits)
Show Show Director (1 credit)
Show Show Producer (1 credit)
Show Show Additional Crew (1 credit)
Show Show Thanks (14 credits)
Show Show Self (47 credits)
Show Show Archive footage (4 credits)

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Personal Details

Other Works:

Theatrical commercial, L.A. Times (on camera)

Publicity Listings:

4 Biographical Movies | 4 Interviews | 6 Articles | 2 Pictorials | See more »

Alternate Names:

William Zsigmond | Willie Zsigmond | William Zsigmund

Spouse:

Elizabeth Fuzes  (divorced)  (2 children)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

We had a terrible situation on [Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)], because they wanted to fire me several times. The only reason they didn't was because they didn't have a replacement who could take over. See more »

Trivia:

Member of the American Society of Cinematographers. See more »

Trademark:

Frequently worked with Robert Altman, Mark Rydell and Woody Allen.

Nickname:

William Zsigmond
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