Biography

Edward Cronenweth was born in Wilkensburg, Pennsylvania in 1903, his father owned a camera shop. The family eventually relocated to Los Angeles and while attending high-school in 1918 young William began working for Famous Players-Lasky as a cameraman's assistant. At age 17 was hired by Universal Pictures worked on The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) starring Lon Chaney. In 1926 Cronenweth accepted a job as a still photographer at Warner Brothers Which led to more work with Paramount as well as Universal. By 1928, Cronenweth had begun working exclusively with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and for the next 10 years he regularly shot film stills as well as star portraits for MGM.

By 1942 Cronenweth was one of the most recognizable photographers working in Hollywood and he decided to accept a position with Columbia Pictures that would last for more than 15 years. During his time with Columbia, Cronenweth photographed many of Hollywood's biggest stars but he developed special relationships with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. The two actors selected Cronenweth as their favorite still photographer and he shot some of their best portraits. Cronenweth's photos encapsulate the contrary elements that Hayworth so often brought to the screen.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous