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Francis Kenny

b. 1950

American cinematographer

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About Francis Kenny

Born 1950. Francis Kenny is an American cinematographer.

Francis Kenny A.S.C. is an American cinematographer.

Background and education Kenny is a twice board member of the American Society of Cinematographers and member of the AMPAS Executive Committee for Cinematographers.

Kenny was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, attending schools in Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana:, Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and high school in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the age of 16, he entered The University of Texas at Austin; he later attended Harvard University; and Hofstra University. He holds degrees in sociology, English literature and communications.

His father, Francis Bernard Kenny, graduated from Princeton University, worked for the Shell Oil Company and eventually became treasurer. His grandfather, Herman Adkins, was a test pilot for the government at the Indianapolis Experimental Station (Civil Aeronautics Authority) and flew the NC-11 "flying laboratory". The airplane is now located at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Herman Adkins later built The Happy Landings Resort, Lake of the Ozark, in Sunrise Beach, Missouri. Adkins was a member of the secretive club for aviators called The Quiet Birdmen.

Career

Francis Kenny began his career working on documentaries with the filmmaker David Hoffman, whom he met at Hofstra University.

Kenny was the cinematographer on the Academy Award-winning feature documentary He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin'. He has photographed commercials and documentaries in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Israel, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Australia, Singapore, Sumatra, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, England, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Morocco.

He became an active member of The American Society of Cinematographers in 1996. He served as the Chairman of the ASC Membership Committee from 2001 until 2011. In 2012, he received the ASC Presidents Award.

Filmography This filmography is incomplete (for both film and television work). Film

Television

Personal life He currently resides in Santa Monica, California, with his daughter, who attends Parsons School of Design.

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Important facts

Born
1950, Indianapolis
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Harvard University, Hofstra University

People in Francis Kenny's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Francis Kenny's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Francis Kenny?

American cinematographer

When was Francis Kenny born?

Francis Kenny was born in 1950 in Indianapolis.

What is Francis Kenny's occupation?

Francis Kenny is a cinematographer.

What nationality is Francis Kenny?

Francis Kenny is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Francis Kenny

· Wikidata: Q1441607

· DBpedia: Francis Kenny

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Francis Kenny. https://biography.guide/francis-kenny/

MLA: "Francis Kenny." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/francis-kenny/.

Chicago: "Francis Kenny." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/francis-kenny/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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