Donald Peterman

Peterman was born in Los Angeles.

He graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California, before serving in the United States Army during the early 1950s. Peterman began shooting documentaries for the U.S. Army during his time in the service.

Peterman began his professional career as a clapper loader for Hal Roach Studios at the age of 22 after leaving the U.S. Army. He departed Hal Roach Studios for Cascade Studios, where he worked the optical printer and animation camera. Peterman left Cascade Studios to work on the Lassie television series, but later returned to Cascade Studios to become director of photography for the studio's television commercial productions.

In 1979, Peterman made his film debut as director of photography with the horror film, When a Stranger Calls. The film is described by Peterman as a "down-and-dirty production". He was able to shoot nighttime scenes in six foot-candles of soft light without the aid of high-speed film stock or lenses.

Peterman was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Flashdance, before receiving his second nomination for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

In 1997, Peterman suffered an accident on the set of Mighty Joe Young. He was on a platform suspended 18 feet from the ground when the crane holding the platform snapped, throwing Peterman to the ground. He suffered head injuries, a broken leg and broken ribs. A cameraman working with him was also injured in the accident. Production was delayed for two days, and Peterman was replaced by Oliver Wood for the remainder of principal photography.

Peterman died at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, of myelodysplastic syndrome on February 5, 2011, at the age of 79.

Film

Television

Documentary

Academy Awards

American Society of Cinematographers