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John Ayala Alonzo, ASC was an American cinematographer, television director, and actor.

","content","

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John Ayala Alonzo, ASC (June 12, 1934 – March 13, 2001) was an American cinematographer, television director, and actor.\n

He was known for his naturalistic, Cinéma vérité-inspired photography featured in several works during the New Hollywood movement, being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography on Roman Polanski's film Chinatown (1974).\n

In addition to films, Alonzo also innovated the use of high-definition video in television production. \n

Alonzo was also the first American cinematographer of Mexican descent to become a member of the Cinematographer's Union in Los Angeles, as well as the first to be inducted into the ASC.\n

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Early life

Alonzo was born in Dallas, Texas, as the son of Mexican immigrants Román Palomo Alonzo and María Alonzo, and was raised both in Dallas and in Guadalajara, Mexico.\n

He graduated from North Dallas High School in 1953.\n

Career

Alonzo's career began as part of the clean-up crew at television station WFAA in Dallas, but within a short time, he had made himself indispensable, not only building sets, hanging lights and moving cameras, but also directing cooking and children's shows.\n

Eventually, he and actor Hank Williamson created a popular comedy duo: Alonzo became the voice and puppeteer of the irreverent \"Señor Turtle\", introduced movies and cartoons, with Williamson as his sidekick. In 1956, the show was picked up by station KHJ in Hollywood, where it lasted only 26 weeks. During this time, Alonzo worked as a still photographer and as an actor, with appearances in several well-known shows like The Twilight Zone, Combat!, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.\n

A seminal moment came during the shooting of The Magnificent Seven, in which Alonzo had a small role, but had the chance to meet cinematographer Charles Lang. This encounter, as well as the chance to briefly collaborate with James Wong Howe a few years later, gave Alonzo the input to make a career around cinematography. This included having director Martin Ritt as a mentor before collaborating with him in his movies\n

By the mid-1960s, he was working on many documentaries for National Geographic and David L. Wolper's company. His work greatly influenced the innovative \"look\" of the New Hollywood era. \n

His uncomplicated and minimalistic style, combined with his first-hand knowledge of acting, made him one of the most in-demand cinematographers in Hollywood.\n

In addition to films, Alonzo was also a pioneer of high-def digital cinematography, with NBC's World War II: When Lions Roared being the first HD movie in the history of American television.\n

Death and legacy

Alonzo died in 2001 after a long illness, at home in Brentwood, California.\n

In 2007, director Axel Schill helmed a feature documentary about Alonzo, The Man Who Shot Chinatown – The Life & Work of John A. Alonzo.\n

Two-time Oscar winner John Toll, began his career as Alonzo's assistant, working on films like Black Sunday, Norma Rae, Tom Horn and Scarface.\n

Filmography

Short film

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Feature film

Director\n

FM (1978)

Cinematographer\n

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* Posthumous release \n

Acting roles\n

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Television

TV movies\n

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TV series\n

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Acting credits\n

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Documentary works

TV movies\n

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TV series\n

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Short film\n

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Film\n

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Awards and nominations

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References

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External links

John A. Alonzo at IMDb

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John Alonzo

Broadcast History