Joseph Biroc was destined to become one of the most versatile cinematographers in Hollywood, working on films of almost every genre. He started as a lab assistant in 1918, based at Paragon Studio, located in America's first 'film capital', Ft.Lee, New Jersey. From there, he moved on to the Paramount facility in Long Island as a camera assistant, and, by 1927, found himself in Hollywood. Under contract to RKO, he took on a number of jobs as second cameraman, frequently uncredited. One of his first A-grade features was the western _Cimarron . With an impressive 159 credits as cinematographer to his name, Biroc retired in 1986 and was two years later awarded the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award.
Was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) since 1948.
Wim Wenders based the character of the old cinematographer, played by Sam Fuller in "The State of Things," on Biroc, who photographed Wenders "Hammett.".
