- Born
- Died
- Birth nameGeraldine Brianne Murphy
- Nicknames
- Bri
- Bri Murphy
- London-born of Irish parents, Geraldine Brianne Murphy was educated in English and American schools before she set her sights on an acting career and attended the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City.
In order to become "more American," she worked as a trick rider with a rodeo for a season, and later "crashed" the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden on opening night, in 1954, performing the entire evening as a clown. The resulting publicity helped her land a job as a still photographer with the traveling circus and eventually led to her arrival in Hollywood, where she began working with low-budget filmmakers Jerry Warren and Ralph Brooke (both of whom she married).
She was the first-ever woman director of photography on a major studio, union picture (Fatso (1980)) and has had several Emmy nominations (and one win) for cinematography. She also won a 1982 "Scientific and Engineering" Academy Award.- IMDb mini biography by: Tom Weaver < TomWeavr@aol.com>
- SpousesJerry Warren(1956 - 1959)Ralph Brooke(? - December 4, 1963) (his death)
- Had been a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) since 1980. She was also its first female member.
- She was the first female director of photography for a major studio film, and is often referred to as a pioneer for women in the film industry.
- In 1984 she was recipient of the "Crystal Award" for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry.
- While working in production management, she would often use herself as a second cameraman on set, once again getting more experience.
- She was also nominated for four Emmys for cinematography, winning for outstanding cinematography for the series Highway to Heaven in 1985.
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