John A. Alonzo

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

He was known for his naturalistic, Cinéma vérité-inspired photography featured in several works during the New Hollywood movement,

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. This included having director Martin Ritt as a mentor before collaborating with him in his movies

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.

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

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.

Death and legacy Alonzo died in 2001 after a long illness, at home in Brentwood, California.

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.

Filmography Short film Year Title Director 1965 The Legend of Jimmy Blue Eyes Robert Clouse 2000 The Dancing Cow Taz Goldstein

Feature film Director FM (1978)

Cinematographer Posthumous release

Acting roles

Television TV movies Year Title Director 1969 The World of Peggy Lee Nick Cominos1971 Cannon George McCowan Revenge! Jud Taylor 1972 Visions...Lee H. Katzin1973 Voyage of the Yes Guess Who's Sleeping in My Bed? Theodore J. Flicker 1976 Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby Sam O'Steen1979 Champions: A Love StoryHimself Portrait of a Stripper1980 Belle Starr Blinded by the Light 1982 The Kid From Nowhere Beau Bridges 1988 Roots: The Gift Kevin Hooks 1999 Lansky John McNaughton 2000 Fail Safe Stephen Frears

TV series Year Title Director Notes 1988 Knightwatch Farhad Mann Episode "Knights of the City" 1994 World War II: When Lions Roared Joseph Sargent Miniseries

Acting credits Year Title Role Notes 1958 Dragnet Episode "The Big Border"1959 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Episode "Ballad for a Bad Man" Border Patrol Pete Episode "A Bundle of Dope" The Thin Man Bellboy Episode "Cold Cargo" 1960 Perry Mason Pedro Guitterez Episode "The Case of the Prudent Prosecutor"1961 The Twilight Zone Luis Gallegos Episode "Dust" Route 66 Juan Domingo Episode "Most Vanquished, Most Victorious" Bronco Tony Gomez Episode "Guns of the Lawless" Cheyenne Rico Episode "Winchester Quarantine" Ripcord Amendarez Episode "Top Secret" 1962 Combat! Bialos Episodes "Cat and Mouse" and "The Prisoner" 1962–63 The Gallant Men Cpl. Marsh / Sgt. Morales Episodes "And Cain Cried Out" and "The Crucible" 1963 77 Sunset Strip Carlos Escheveria Episode "The Man Who Wasn't There" 1963–64 Kraft Suspense Theatre Officer Miller / Cpl. Jack Osante Episodes "The Long, Lost Life of Edward Smalley" and"Once Upon a Savage Night"1964 Temple Houston Long Maned Pony Episode "Last Full Moon" Nightmare in Chicago Officer Miller TV movie Alfred Hitchcock Presents The Intern Episode "The Gentleman from America" Destry Jose Episode "Ride to Rio Verde" 1966–67 The Wild Wild West Lightnin' McCoy / Sarrkan Episodes "The Night of the Golden Cobra" and"The Night of the Surreal McCoy" 1967 Bewitched Guard Episode "Art for Sam's Sake" 1969 Bracken's World Cameraman Episode "The Chase Sequence"

Documentary works TV movies Year Title Director Notes 1966 The World of Animals: It's a Dog's World Alan LandsburgJoseph L. Scanlan With Vilis Lapenieks1967 Do Blonds Have More Fun? Mel Ferber With Vilis Lapenieks, Stan Lazan and Kenneth Van Sickle A Nation of Immigrants Robert AbelAram BoyajianMel Stuart With Les Blank, Adam Giffard and Vilis Lapenieks The Big Land David H. Vowell With Vilis Lapenieks and Stan Lazan1968 The World of Animals: The World of Horses Joseph L. Scanlan With David Blewitt and Dieter Perschke Sophia: A Self-Portrait Robert AbelMel Stuart With Roberto Gerardi The World of Animals: Big Cats, Little Cats Bud Wiser With David Blewitt, Robert Grant, J. Barry Herron,Fred Kaplan and Vilmos Zsigmond 1972 Hollywood: The Dream Factory With Jim Wilson

TV series Year Title Director Notes 1967–69 National Geographic Specials Irwin RostenJeff MyrowWalon GreenHeinz SielmannHimself 4 episodes 1968 The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau Patrick Watson Episode "Search in the Deep"

Short film Year Title Director 1968 San Sebastian 1746 in 1968 Floyd L. Peterson 1969 The Moviemakers Jay Anson

Film Year Title Director Notes 1973 Wattstax Mel Stuart Concert film 1984 Terror in the Aisles Andrew J. Kuehn 1986 50 Years of Action! Douglass M. Stewart Jr. With Charlie Clifton and Caleb Deschanel

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Title Result 1974 Academy Awards Best CinematographyChinatown BAFTA Awards Best Cinematography 1994Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie World War II: When Lions Roared 1999 Lansky 2000 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Light Direction Fail Safe