What happened to Victor J. Kemper, ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ Director?

Renowned cinematographer Victor J. Kemper, known for his work on over 50 features, including classics like “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Eyes of Laura Mars,” “The Jerk,” and “Slap Shot,” has passed away at the age of 96.

Kemper, who succumbed to natural causes on Monday in Sherman Oaks, was confirmed by his son, Steven Kemper, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Kemper’s remarkable career includes his debut as a director of photography on John Cassavetes’ “Husbands” (1970), followed by notable contributions to Elia Kazan’s final feature, “The Last Tycoon” (1976), and Tim Burton’s directorial debut, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985).

His collaboration with director Arthur Hiller spanned six films, including “The Tiger Makes Out” (1967), “The Hospital” (1971), “Author! Author!” (1982), “The Lonely Guy” (1984), “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” (1989), and “Married to It” (1991). Additionally, Kemper worked on three consecutive films with Carl Reiner: “Oh God!” (1977), “The One and Only” (1978), and “The Jerk” (1979).

A native of New Jersey, Kemper shared a captivating anecdote about the challenges he faced while filming the hockey scenes in George Roy Hill’s “Slap Shot” (1977), revealing that he had to don ice skates for the task.

The legacy of Victor J. Kemper endures through his extensive contributions to the art of cinematography, leaving behind a body of work that has left an indelible mark on the film industry.