Michael Ballhaus


Michael Ballhaus, A.S.C. was a German cinematographer, known for his work with directors like Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Martin Scorsese, and Mike Nichols.
He was a member of both the Academy of Arts, Berlin and the American Society of Cinematographers.

Early life

Ballhaus was born on 5 August 1935 in Berlin to actors and. His uncle was actor and director Carl Ballhaus.
He was influenced by family friend Max Ophüls, and appeared as an extra in Ophüls' last film Lola Montès.

Career

Ballhaus came to prominence with his work with Rainer Werner Fassbinder beginning with Whity, in addition to The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, Chinese Roulette and The Marriage of Maria Braun. In 1990, he was the head of the jury at the 40th Berlin International Film Festival.
After settling in the United States, he worked on many American films, such as Goodfellas, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Wild Wild West and Gangs of New York.
Ballhaus also made an appearance in Rosa von Praunheim's film Fassbinder's Women.
He was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, but never won. He did win awards at the Chicago Film Critics Association, the Boston Society of Film Critics, and twice at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
His documentary In Berlin, made with Ciro Cappellari, was released in May 2009.
Ballhaus's final film was Sherry Hormann's 3096 Days in 2013.

Personal life and death

Ballhaus was married to actress and art director Helga Maria Betten from 1958 until her death in 2006.
They had two sons, Florian, who is also a cinematographer, and Jan Sebastian, an assistant director.
In 2011, Ballhaus married German-American director Sherry Hormann.
He died at his home in Berlin at the age of 81, after a short illness.

Filmography

Cinematographer

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards
YearCategoryTitleResult
1987Best CinematographyBroadcast NewsNomitated
1989Best CinematographyThe Fabulous Baker BoysNomitated
2002Best CinematographyGangs of New YorkNomitated

BAFTA Awards
YearCategoryTitleResult
1990Best CinematographyGoodfellasNomitated
1993Best CinematographyThe Age of InnocenceNomitated
2002Best CinematographyGangs of New YorkNomitated

Chicago Film Critics Association
YearCategoryTitleResult
1992Best CinematographyBram Stoker's DraculaWon
2002Best CinematographyGangs of New YorkNomitated
2006Best CinematographyThe DepartedNomitated

Los Angeles Film Critics Association
YearCategoryTitleResult
1989Best CinematographyThe Fabulous Baker BoysWon
1990Best CinematographyGoodfellasWon

Satellite Awards
YearCategoryTitleResult
2000Best CinematographyThe Legend of Bagger VanceNomitated
2002Best CinematographyGangs of New YorkNomitated

'''Other awards'''