Steve Goldblatt, Cinematographer

Steven Goldblatt is an esteemed cinematographer. His credits include Lethal Weapon and several high-profile movies for which he served as cinematographer, in addition to contributing regularly to various trade publications.

He was previously the Chair and Associate Professor Emeritus in Construction Management at the University of Washington and served on their Amicus Curiae Briefs Committee.

Early Life and Education

Goldblatt began his career by shooting ethnographic documentaries for Granada Television that took him and his crew into remote jungles and the Andes Mountains – giving him his first taste of feature film production’s demands and challenges.

He went on to shoot numerous prestige productions for HBO, such as 2001’s Conspiracy and 2002’s Path to War; on this latter project was where he developed what he considers his most fulfilling working relationship with Mike Nichols as director.

Actress Octavia Spencer made this point clear when presenting Goldblatt with the Academy Screenwriting Club Lifetime Achievement Award on March 5. She remembered how Goldblatt explained why he wanted her to hit specific marks in scenes–an act of professional courtesy that has never left her memory.

Professional Career

Steve has extensive experience drafting and negotiating contracts for clients across a range of industries, such as insurance and financial services firms. Additionally, he has litigated cases both state and federal courts as well as before various regulatory tribunals.

Goldblatt spent 27 years at the University of Washington where he held multiple roles during his 27-year career, such as Department Chair for Building Construction and represented both College on external affairs as well as Faculty Senate in Olympia. A passionate Husky and Cal football supporter, he would often travel with Joan to away games to support either team.

Goldblatt is an expert at digital intermediate, helping films achieve the look they’ve always imagined before they hit theaters. Below the Line caught up with him as he worked on Rent, an adaptation of its beloved Broadway hit that began life as stage musical.

Achievement and Honors

Goldblatt served on the ASC Photo Gallery Committee, working alongside fellow members to showcase their still photography. He often collaborated with directors such as Tony Scott on The Hunger (1983), Francis Coppola on The Cotton Club (1984) and Richard Donner on Lethal Weapon (1987).

His post production work earned him several accolades and awards, such as an Emmy nomination for HBO film Angels in America (2004). Additionally, he co-founded and was former chief executive officer of KemperSports Venue Management as well as founding Spooky Nook Sports in Pennsylvania.

Goldblatt was born in Sacramento, California, and obtained both his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from UC Berkeley and Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Golden Gate Law School. Following retirement, Goldblatt served as both an arbitrator and mediator on public works projects while serving on several boards such as Sound Transit’s Citizen Oversight Panel as well as two Seattle schools capital levy oversight committees.

Personal Life

Steve Goldblatt was an active volunteer and served on multiple Seattle civic committees, such as two city public school capital levy oversight panels, Sound Transit Citizen Oversight Panel and Temple de Hirsch Sinai board membership. Additionally, he successfully mediated or arbitrated construction disputes for over 100 public projects in Washington state.

Goldblatt had an outstanding career that spanned six decades, during which he captured iconic images of South Africa’s social transformation and documented its racial divide through his photography work, from somber depictions of Churchill’s funeral procession to joyful scenes from London life. His photographs can be found in many international collections.

Goldblatt earned many notable film credits during his life. Notable titles include Angels in America and Closer with Mike Nichols. He is survived by his wife Joan, daughter Sarah, son-in-law Chris Emerson, grandsons Oliver and Archer and grandchild.

Net Worth

He is survived by his wife Joan; daughter Sarah Emerson (and Chris Emerson, her husband) of Seattle; grandsons Oliver and Archer Emerson; sister Barbara Youngdahl from Lodi, CA; brother Ken Goldblatt from Union, WA; niece Robyn Goldblatt of Bozeman, Montana and nephew Daniel Goldblatt from Lodi. Ken was also active at Temple de Hirsch Sinai for many years as well as serving on several civic boards (Sound Transit Citizen Oversight Panel; King County Commission On Governance; and two Seattle public Schools Capital Levies Oversight Committees).

Goldblatt began his early career working as a photographer and film director before making a brief foray into acting and comedy under the name Simon Brodkin, making an audition appearance on Series 10 of Britain’s Got Talent where he managed to fool judges – an audition which later featured in C4 documentary Britain’s Greatest Hoaxer’.