Quick Facts
Biography
James Crabe, A.S.C. (August 19, 1931 – May 2, 1989) was an American cinematographer, known for his work in the 1970s and 80s on numerous iconic films including The China Syndrome, Rocky, Night Shift, The Karate Kid. He was a regular collaborator of director John G. Avildsen, and was two time Primetime Emmy Award winner, in addition to being nominated for multiple ASC Awards and an Academy Award.
Biography
James Crabe was one of the few openly gay cinematographers in Hollywood. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for director John G. Avildsen's The Formula (1980). He also photographed Avildsen's films Save the Tiger (1973), W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975), Rocky (1976), The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid Part II (1986), Happy New Year (1987) and For Keeps (1988).
He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie for The Letter (1982) and was nominated for The Entertainer (1976), Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977) and his final film Baby M (1988). He won Outstanding Cinematography for a Series for The New Mike Hammer episode "More Than Murder" in 1984.
Death
On May 2, 1989, James Crabe died of complications of AIDS.