Michael Ballhaus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Ballhaus
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Ballhaus in 2007
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| Born | 5 August 1935 |
| Died | 12 April 2017 (aged 81) Berlin, Germany
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| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 1959–2013 |
| Organization | American Society of Cinematographers |
| Known for | Broadcast News Goodfellas The Age of Innocence The Departed |
| Spouse(s) |
Helga Betten
(m. 1958; died 2006)Sherry Hormann
(m. 2011) |
| Children | 2, including Florian Ballhaus |
| Parent(s) | Oskar Ballhaus Lena Hutter |
| Relatives | Carl Balhaus (uncle) |
Michael Ballhaus (born August 5, 1935 – died April 12, 2017) was a very talented German cinematographer. A cinematographer is the person who is in charge of the camera and lighting on a film set. They make sure the movie looks great! Michael Ballhaus worked with many famous directors like Martin Scorsese and Mike Nichols. He helped create the look of many well-known movies, including Goodfellas and The Departed.
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Michael Ballhaus: A Film Visionary
Michael Ballhaus was a famous German cinematographer. He was a member of important groups like the Academy of Arts, Berlin and the American Society of Cinematographers. These groups recognize top artists in film.
His Early Life
Michael Ballhaus was born in Berlin, Germany. His parents, Lena Hutter and Oskar Ballhaus, were both actors. His uncle, Carl Ballhaus, was also an actor and director. Growing up, Michael was inspired by a family friend, Max Ophüls, who was a film director. Michael even appeared as an extra (a background actor) in Ophüls' last movie, Lola Montès, in 1955.
His Amazing Career in Film
Michael Ballhaus became well-known for his work with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. They started working together on the film Whity in 1971. They also made other movies like The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972) and The Marriage of Maria Braun (1978). In 1990, Michael was chosen to be the head of the jury at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival. This is a big honor in the film world.
Working with Famous Directors
After moving to the United States, Michael Ballhaus worked on many American films. He often worked with director Martin Scorsese on movies like After Hours (1985), Goodfellas (1990), The Age of Innocence (1993), and The Departed (2006). He also worked with James L. Brooks on Broadcast News (1987) and with Francis Ford Coppola on Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992). His final film was 3096 Days in 2013, directed by Sherry Hormann.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Ballhaus was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. This is one of the highest honors in filmmaking. He was nominated for his work on Broadcast News, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and Gangs of New York. Even though he didn't win an Oscar, he won many other important awards. He won the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography for Bram Stoker's Dracula. He also won awards from the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for The Fabulous Baker Boys and Goodfellas.
His Family Life
Michael Ballhaus was married to actress Helga Maria Betten from 1958 until she passed away in 2006. They had two sons. One of their sons, Florian Ballhaus, also became a cinematographer, following in his father's footsteps. In 2011, Michael married German-American film director Sherry Hormann. Michael Ballhaus passed away at his home in Berlin on April 12, 2017, at the age of 81, after a short illness.
Awards Michael Ballhaus Received
- 2007 Bavarian Film Awards Honorary Award
See also
In Spanish: Michael Ballhaus para niños
- List of German-speaking Academy Award winners and nominees
