- Born
- 1 June 1904, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- First work
- 1929: Norma Shearer portfolio
- Peak
- 1930 to 1942 (estimated)
- Last work
- 1992: Hurrell's Hollywood
- Died
- 17 May 1992, Los Angeles, United States; aged 87; illness
George Hurrell
Photographer: photographer, United States
George Hurrell was an American photographer who established the visual template for Golden Age Hollywood glamour. Appointed head of portrait photography at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1930, he employed dramatic chiaroscuro, sharp spotlighting, and precise retouching to create striking, sculpture-like portraits of studio contract stars. His iconic portraits of Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and Jane Russell became quintessential images of cinematic stardom. After operating an independent studio and working in television, his work experienced a major artistic revival during the 1970s. He continued working until shortly before his death from cancer in Los Angeles in May 1992.
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Signature works
- Joan Crawford portrait series photograph1931
- Clark Gable portrait series photograph1932
- Jean Harlow white bear rug portrait photograph1934
- Jane Russell The Outlaw publicity portraits photograph1941
- The Hurrell Style other1976