About Hal Phyfe
Lived 1892 – 1968 (aged 75–76). Hal Phyfe was an American photographer and illustrator.
Herold Rodney Eaton "Hal" Phyfe (1892–1968) was a Broadway photographer famous for his theatrical portraits of the 1920s and 1930s. His photos have been described as "competent, but not in the Cecil Beaton or Edward Steichen league".
Biography Hal Phyfe was born into an American family based in Nice, France. He is a descendant of the American furniture designer Duncan Phyfe. He opened a New York photography studio in 1926. He photographed a range of celebrities including Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., Anna Q. Nilsson and Carveth Wells. He became known as "the official photographer to high society" and "one of the best amateur cooks in Manhattan". He asked his subjects not to smile as they were being photographed.
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Important facts
People in Hal Phyfe's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Hal Phyfe?
American photographer and illustrator (1892-1968)
When was Hal Phyfe born?
Hal Phyfe was born on 22 February 1892 in Nice.
When did Hal Phyfe die?
Hal Phyfe died in 1968 in Florida, Sarasota.
What was Hal Phyfe's occupation?
Hal Phyfe was a photographer and illustrator.
What nationality was Hal Phyfe?
Hal Phyfe was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hal Phyfe. https://biography.guide/hal-phyfe/
MLA: "Hal Phyfe." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hal-phyfe/.
Chicago: "Hal Phyfe." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hal-phyfe/.
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