About Robert Paynter
Lived 1928 – 2010 (aged 82). Robert Paynter was a British cinematographer.
Robert William Paynter, B.S.C. (12 March 1928 – 20 October 2010) was an English cinematographer.
After leaving the Mercers' School in the City of London at the age of 15, Paynter entered the film industry as a camera trainee with the Government Film Department.
He is known for his collaborations with John Landis and Michael Winner.
Collaborations John Landis Paynter worked with director John Landis on five films: An American Werewolf in London, Trading Places, Thriller, Into the Night and Spies Like Us. Paynter helped to create a "pop" comic book-style for American Werewolf, Thriller and Into the Night. He also made a cameo in three Landis' productions: Into the Night (as Security Guard), Spies like Us (as Dr. Gill) and Burke and Hare.
Michael Winner Winner collaborated on 10 films with Paynter (from 1969 to 1984), including: The Big Sleep (1978) and Scream for Help (1984).
Filmography Films Rock-a-Doodle (1992, live-action sequences) Strike It Rich (1990) When the Whales Came (1989) Little Shop of Horrors (1986) Spies Like Us (1985) Into the Night (1985) The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) Scream for Help (1984) Trading Places (1983) Superman III (1983) An American Werewolf in London (1981) The Final Conflict (1981) Superman II (1980) The Big Sleep (1978) Firepower (1979) High Velocity (1976) Scorpio (1973) The Mechanic (1972) Chato's Land (1972) The Nightcomers (1971) Lawman (1971) The Games (1970) Hannibal Brooks (1969)
Television The Zoo Gang (1974) Music videos Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983)
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Important facts
People in Robert Paynter's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Robert Paynter's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Robert Paynter?
cinematographer (1928–2010)
When was Robert Paynter born?
Robert Paynter was born on 12 March 1928 in London.
When did Robert Paynter die?
Robert Paynter died on 20 October 2010 in Isle of Wight.
What was Robert Paynter's occupation?
Robert Paynter was a cinematographer.
What nationality was Robert Paynter?
Robert Paynter was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Paynter. https://biography.guide/robert-paynter/
MLA: "Robert Paynter." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-paynter/.
Chicago: "Robert Paynter." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-paynter/.
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