Motion Picture Cinematographer. For 30 years one of Hollywood's top cameramen, he was equally distinguished in black-and-white and color photography. He worked with many of the best directors in the business and was mentor to cinematographer Gregg Toland ("Citizen Kane"), who started out as his assistant. Barnes won an Academy Award for his moody lensing of "Rebecca" (1940), received seven Oscar nominations, and picked up a Golden Globe for "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952). His other credits include "The Eagle" (1925), "The Son of the Sheik" (1926), "Sadie Thompson" (1928), "Street Scene" (1931), "Footlight Parade" (1933), "Gold Diggers of 1935" (1935), "Meet John Doe" (1941), "Jane Eyre" (1944), "Spellbound" (1945), "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945), "Force of Evil" (1948), and "Samson and Delilah" (1949). His last film was one of his most visually inventive: the sci-fi classic "The War of the Worlds" (1953). He died of a heart attack soon after its completion. Married seven times, his third wife (from 1932 to 1936) was actress Joan Blondell.
Motion Picture Cinematographer. For 30 years one of Hollywood's top cameramen, he was equally distinguished in black-and-white and color photography. He worked with many of the best directors in the business and was mentor to cinematographer Gregg Toland ("Citizen Kane"), who started out as his assistant. Barnes won an Academy Award for his moody lensing of "Rebecca" (1940), received seven Oscar nominations, and picked up a Golden Globe for "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952). His other credits include "The Eagle" (1925), "The Son of the Sheik" (1926), "Sadie Thompson" (1928), "Street Scene" (1931), "Footlight Parade" (1933), "Gold Diggers of 1935" (1935), "Meet John Doe" (1941), "Jane Eyre" (1944), "Spellbound" (1945), "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945), "Force of Evil" (1948), and "Samson and Delilah" (1949). His last film was one of his most visually inventive: the sci-fi classic "The War of the Worlds" (1953). He died of a heart attack soon after its completion. Married seven times, his third wife (from 1932 to 1936) was actress Joan Blondell.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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