Donald A. Morgan
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Donald A. Morgan is an American cinematographer. He has won 11 Emmy Awards, including seven for Home Improvement and three for The Ranch. In 2022, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. As of 2021, he held the record for the most awarded Black person at the Emmys.[1]
Early life[edit]
Morgan was born in Philadelphia to American jazz musician Al Morgan and his wife, though the family moved to Los Angeles when his mother took a job as a pathologist at the University of California, Los Angeles.[2] Following in his father's footsteps, Morgan was a musician, playing the stand-up bass in middle school and the bass guitar in high school.[3]
After graduating from Alexander Hamilton High School, Morgan attended Los Angeles Trade–Technical College, where he studied graphic art and architecture.[2][3]
Career[edit]
One of the first Black directors of photography at a major network, Morgan started his television career in KTTV's mailroom, advancing to their lighting department.[4] During the 1970s, he worked in Norman Lear productions such as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and One Day at a Time.[4] Due to the diverse casts in the shows, Morgan had to learn new techniques to appropriately and adequately provide lighting for people with varying skin tones. In 1983, he was named Director of Photography, one of the first Black people to hold such a role on a major network.[3] Morgan went on to contribute to series such as Three's Company, Silver Spoons, Gloria, Home Improvement, and The Ranch, in addition to lighting for other programs, including Baryshnikov on Broadway and the NAACP Image Awards.[4]
Morgan has received various honors for his work. In 1985, he received an Emmy for his work on Mr. Belvedere, which was followed by seven additional Emmys for Home Improvement and three for The Ranch. He has received a total of 21 Emmy nominations,[5] as well as the Career Achievement in Television Award from the American Society of Cinematographers.[6] In 2022, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences inducted him into the Television Hall of Fame.[7][8] He is the first director of photography to earn the latter honor.[9]
Morgan serves as the Co–Chairman of DEI for the IA Local 600 Cinematographers Guild.[5]
Personal life[edit]
Morgan is married to Hollywood make-up artist Geneva Nash-Morgan.[2]
Awards and honors[edit]
In 2020, Morgan received the American Society of Cinematographers Career Achievement in Television Award,[6][10] and in 2022, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences inducted him into the Television Hall of Fame.[7][8] He is the first director of photography to earn the latter honor.[9]
| Year | Title | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Mr. Belvedere | Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) | Winner | |
| 1990 | Bagdad Cafe | Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Nominee | |
| 1992 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Winner | [1] |
| 1993 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Winner | [1] |
| 1994 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Winner | [1] |
| 1995 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Winner | [1] |
| 1996 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Winner | [1] |
| 1997 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Nominee | |
| 1998 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Winner | [1] |
| 1999 | Home Improvement | Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series | Winner | [1] |
| 2003 | Girlfriends | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Nominee | |
| 2011 | Retired at 35, "Rocket Man" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Nominee | |
| 2014 | Last Man Standing, "Eve's Boyfriend" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Nominee | |
| 2017 | The Ranch, "Easy Come, Easy Go" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Winner | [1] |
| 2018 | The Ranch, "Do What You Gotta Do" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Nominee | [11] |
| 2019 | The Ranch, "Reckless" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Winner | [1] |
| 2020 | The Ranch, "It Ain't My Fault" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Winner | [1] |
| 2021 | Last Man Standing, "Time Flies" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Nominee | [1][12] |
| 2021 | The Conners, "A Stomach Ache, a Heart Break, and a Grave Mistake" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series | Nominee | [1][12] |
| 2021 | The Upshaws, "Big Plans" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series | Nominee | [1][12] |
| 2022 | The Conners, "The Wedding of Dan and Louise" | Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series | Nominee |
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Bear Island | Aerial camera operator |
| 1983 | Off the Wall | Cinematographer |
| 1988 | Rattle and Hum | Lighting technician |
| 1992 | Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style | Cinematographer |
| 2006 | Let Me Count the Ways (short) |
|
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Facts of Life | Lighting director |
| 1985 | 227 | Cinematographer |
| 1985 | Mr. Belvedere | Lighting director |
| 1985 | New Love American Style | Lighting director |
| 1985–86 | The Golden Girls | Lighting designer |
| 1986 | The Last Chance Cafe | Lighting director |
| 1987 | Changing Patterns (pilot) | Lighting designer |
| 1987 | Marblehead Manson | Cinematographer |
| 1987 | The Pursuit of Happiness | Cinematographer |
| 1988 | Cadets (pilot) | Lighting director |
| 1989 | Coming to America | Cinematographer |
| 1989 | Homeroom |
|
| 1989 | The Robert Guillaume Show | Lighting director |
| 1989 | Sister Kate | Cinematographer |
| 1989 | Somerset Gardens (pilot) | Lighting director |
| 1990 | Bagdad Cafe | |
| 1990 | Hurricane Sam | |
| 1990-92 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Lighting director |
| 1991 | Clippers (pilot) | Cinematographer |
| 1991 | In the House (pilot) | Lighting director |
| 1991–92 | Home Improvement |
|
| 1992 | Rachel Gunn, R.N | Cinematographer |
| 1992–94 | Where I Live | Cinematographer |
| 1993 | The Barbara Walters Special | Cinematographer |
| 1993 | Count on Me | Lighting designer |
| 1993 | The Nanny (pilot) | Cinematographer |
| 1993 | Saved by the Bell | Lighting director |
| 1993–94 | Boy Meets World | Cinematographer |
| 1994 | All–American Girl | Cinematographer |
| 1994 | South Central | Cinematographer |
| 1994 | Thunder Alley | Cinematographer |
| 1994-95 | In the House | Lighting director |
| 1994–95 | Martin | Cinematographer |
| 1994–95 | The Parent 'Hood | Cinematographer |
| 1995 | The Preston Episodes | Cinematographer |
| 1995–96 | Moesha | Cinematographer |
| 1996 | Bedtime | Cinematographer |
| 1996 | Buddies | Lighting director |
| 1997 | Bouncers (pilot) | Cinematographer |
| 1997 | Built to Last | Cinematographer |
| 1997 | The Gregory Hines Show | Cinematographer |
| 1997 | Life … and Stuff | Cinematographer |
| 1997 | Merry Christmas, George Bailey | Lighting designer |
| 1997 | Party Girl | Cinematographer |
| 1997 | Soul Man | Cinematographer |
| 1997 | Teen Angel | Cinematographer |
| 1998 | Brother's Keeper | Cinematographer |
| 1998 | Costello | Cinematographer |
| 1998 | Damon | Cinematographer |
| 1998 | Linc's | Cinematographer |
| 1998 | Oh Baby | Cinematographer |
| 1998 | Solo en America | Lighting consultant |
| 1999–00 | Grown Ups | Cinematographer |
| 2000 | Daddio | Cinematographer |
| 2000 | Martha Stewart's Christmas Dream | Cinematographer |
| 2000 | Viva Vegas! | Lighting consultant |
| 2000–07 | Girlfriends | Cinematographer |
| 2001 | 32nd NAACP Image Awards | Lighting designer |
| 2001 | Reba | Lighting consultant |
| 2001–04 | My Wife and Kids | Cinematographer |
| 2002 | 33rd NAACP Image Awards | Lighting designer |
| 2003 | 34th NAACP Image Awards | Lighting designer |
| 2003 | Essence Awards | Lighting designer |
| 2003 | Lost at Home | Cinematographer |
| 2003 | The Tracy Morgan Show | Cinematographer |
| 2004 | 35th Annual NAACP Image Awards | Lighting designer |
| 2004 | Gas | Cinematographer |
| 2005 | 36th Annual NAACP Image Awards | Lighting designer |
| 2005 | The Big Black Comedy Show, Vol. 2 | Cinematographer |
| 2005 | Stacked | Cinematographer |
| 2005 | Wild 'n Out | Cinematographer |
| 2005–07 | The War at Home | Cinematographer |
| 2006 | 37th NAACP Image Awards | Lighting designer |
| 2006 | Let Me Count the Ways (short) |
|
| 2007 | 38th NAACP Image Awards |
|
| 2007 | The Return of Jezebel James | Cinematographer |
Further reading[edit]
- Rogers, Pauline B. (1998). Contemporary Cinematographers on Their Art. Performing Arts.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Montgomery, Daniel (August 24, 2021). "The two most awarded Black individuals in Primetime Emmy history could win more this year". GoldDerby. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c Silberg, Jon (February 14, 2020). "Multi-Talented: Donald A. Morgan, ASC". American Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Foundation Interview: Donald A. Morgan, ASC". Television Academy. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Donald A. Morgan, ASC Subject of New Career-Spanning Interview". The American Cinematographer. June 22, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Donald A. Morgan, ASC". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Donald A. Morgan". International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Panaligan, E. J. (October 25, 2022). "Sean Penn to Receive TV Academy Humanitarian Award as Ken Burns, Rita Moreno Become Hall of Fame Inductees". Variety. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Gardner, Chris (October 26, 2022). "Sean Penn to Receive Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at TV Academy's Hall of Fame Event". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Foundation Interview: Donald A. Morgan, ASC". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ "American Society of Cinematographers To Honor Elmes, Morgan, Delbonnel, McCuaig". SHOOTonline. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ "Emmys: The nominees and winners for Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c "2021 Creative Arts Emmys: WandaVision Wins Three Awards, First Victory For Marvel". News18. September 13, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Morgan, Donald A. (Don Morgan, Donald Morgan) |". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.