Don Ornitz
American photographer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Don Ornitz (February 29, 1920 – January 14, 1972) was an American photographer.
Don Ornitz | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 29, 1920 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | January 14, 1972 (aged 51) |
| Occupation | Photographer |
| Parent | Samuel Ornitz (father) |
| Relatives | Arthur J. Ornitz (brother) |
Life and career
Ornitz was born in New York City, to parents Sadie (née Lesser) and screenwriter Samuel Ornitz, one of the Hollywood Ten accused of Communism.[1] As were many members of the entertainment community including Don's father, Samuel Ornitz was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee,[2] but refused to testify and was fined $1,000. Don's brother was a cinematographer Arthur J. Ornitz. In 1928, the family moved to California, where he spent most of his life.[3]
Career
Ornitz photographed many celebrities,[4] including Raquel Welch, Inger Stevens, Frank Sinatra, Walt Disney, and Audrey Hepburn.[5] His obituary in Popular Photography magazine called him "the Titan of the Hollywood photographers".[6]
He was also a photographer for several magazines, including Playboy,[7] Travel and Camera,[8] The Saturday Evening Post, Look, Pageant, Globe, Sports Illustrated[9] and Life.[10][11][12]
His photograph of boys catching insects on a windowpane was selected by Edward Steichen for the 1955 Museum of Modern Art world-touring exhibition The Family of Man that was seen by 9 million visitors.[13][14]
Ornitz died January 14, 1972, in Los Angeles County, California.
Books by Don Ornitz
- Ornitz, D. (1962) Living Photography, Maco.
- Basch, P., Gowland, P., & Ornitz, D. (1958). Candid Photography. Fawcett Publications: Greenwich, Conn.
