---
name: "Caleb Deschanel"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/caleb-deschanel"
fi1m_id: "caleb-deschanel"
imdb_id: "nm0221042"
tmdb_id: 8750
wikidata_id: "Q49020"
roles: ["Director"]
born: "21 September 1944"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "director"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-10-22T02:17:12.521910+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Caleb Deschanel

## Identity

Caleb Deschanel

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/caleb-deschanel
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** caleb-deschanel
- **IMDb ID:** nm0221042
- **TMDB ID:** 8750
- **Wikidata ID:** Q49020
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caleb_Deschanel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49020, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221042/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8750

Director. Born 21 September 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director
- **Born:** 21 September 1944, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Active:** 1972–present
- **Also known as:** Joseph Caleb Deschanel
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 16: 2 directing, 14 crew
- **Frequently works with:** [Carroll Ballard](https://film.one/person/carroll-ballard.md), [Mel Gibson](https://film.one/person/mel-gibson.md), [Robert Rodat](https://film.one/person/robert-rodat.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 6 Oscar nominations
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as director, over 2 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 88 (5), 1980s 76 (2), 1990s 85 (2), 2000s 59 (3), 2010s 67 (3), 2020s 85 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caleb_Deschanel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49020, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221042/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8750

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Black Stallion*](https://film.one/film/the-black-stallion.md) (87), [*Being There*](https://film.one/film/being-there.md) (84), [*The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years*](https://film.one/film/the-beatles-eight-days-a-week-the-touring-years.md) (71), [*The Natural*](https://film.one/film/the-natural.md) (67), [*Killshot*](https://film.one/film/killshot.md) (55)
- **Disney+:** [*Bones*](https://film.one/tv/bones.md) (70), [*The Lion King*](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king-2019.md) (52), [*National Treasure*](https://film.one/film/national-treasure.md) (52)
- **Apple TV:** [*Twin Peaks*](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md) (86)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Caleb Deschanel

> Caleb Deschanel gives images time to tell the story, an instinct we value more confidently in his cinematography than in his directing. *Twin Peaks* earns our warm recommendation, though its success is shared by many hands.

Deschanel often keeps the camera at eye level, using long lenses to stay back from performers while allowing action within a carefully arranged frame. He gives us time to look. His preference for telling stories through pictures is clearest in his cinematography, which remains the larger part of his work. We value that patience, but it does not by itself tell us how well he directs.

*The Black Stallion* and *Being There* (both 1979) established him as a cinematographer; *The Escape Artist* (1982) was his feature directing debut, followed by *Crusoe* (1988). His repeated collaborations with directors Carroll Ballard, Hal Ashby and William Friedkin suggest a willingness to adjust his habits to somebody else's film. The light in *The Natural* (1984) has an almost magical quality, while *The Lion King* (2019) takes his live-action experience into virtual production. His work has continued to change technically without abandoning the attempt to make an image feel natural.

The substantial pleasure for us is *Twin Peaks* (1990), for which he directed three episodes. We were unexpectedly saddened by its soap-opera jealousy, because the series takes those feelings seriously even while making them funny and frightening. Kyle MacLachlan provides a steady centre, giving us someone dependable amid the strangeness. Deschanel's willingness to adapt to the series' established style is valuable here, though our praise belongs to the series and should not be mistaken for a separate verdict on his three instalments. It is work within an existing programme, where fitting in matters.

*Crusoe* supplies a caution: its storytelling drew criticism for being obvious and slow to develop. We would not dismiss the directing on that basis, but nor would we assume that his command of lighting settles the matter. The useful distinction is between giving a scene time and leaving it waiting for something to happen. Start with *Twin Peaks* for the directing, with some tolerance for the stretches when its patience becomes drift.

## Biography

Caleb Deschanel, also credited as Joseph Caleb Deschanel, is an American cinematographer and occasional director of film and television. Born on 21 September 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he studied at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and the AFI Conservatory.

He has served as director of photography on films including *The Right Stuff* (1983), *The Natural* (1984), *Fly Away Home* (1996), *The Patriot* (2000), *The Passion of the Christ* (2004) and *Never Look Away* (2018). Deschanel has received six Academy Award nominations for cinematography. He has also directed episodes of the television series *Twin Peaks* (1990–91).

Deschanel has been married to actress Mary Jo Deschanel since 1972. They are the parents of actresses Emily Deschanel and Zooey Deschanel.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (16)

### Directed (2) — the average rests on these

- *Bones* (2005), Fi1m 70, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Twin Peaks* (1990), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md)

### Crew (14)

- *Wildwood* (2026), Fi1m 85, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/wildwood.md)
- *Ad Astra* (2019), Fi1m 78, Additional Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/ad-astra.md)
- *The Lion King* (2019), Fi1m 52, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king-2019.md)
- *The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years* (2016), Fi1m 71, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-beatles-eight-days-a-week-the-touring-years.md)
- *Killshot* (2008), Fi1m 55, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/killshot.md)
- *National Treasure* (2004), Fi1m 52, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/national-treasure.md)
- *Titanic* (1997), Fi1m 84, Additional Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md)
- *The Natural* (1984), Fi1m 67, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-natural.md)
- *The Right Stuff* (1983), Fi1m 86, Director of Photography, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md)
- *Apocalypse Now* (1979), Fi1m 92, Additional Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/apocalypse-now.md)
- *Being There* (1979), Fi1m 84, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/being-there.md)
- *The Black Stallion* (1979), Fi1m 87, Cinematography, Director of Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-stallion.md)
- *A Woman Under the Influence* (1974), Fi1m 86, Additional Photography — [page](https://film.one/film/a-woman-under-the-influence.md)
- *The Godfather* (1972), Fi1m 93, Additional Camera — [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather.md)

## Complete filmography (50)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Wildwood* (2026), Director of Photography — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/wildwood.md)
- *Ad Astra* (2019), Additional Photography — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/ad-astra.md)
- *The Lion King* (2019), Director of Photography — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king-2019.md)
- *Never Look Away* (2018), Director of Photography
- *Unforgettable* (2017), Director of Photography
- *Rules Don't Apply* (2016), Director of Photography
- *The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years* (2016), Director of Photography — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-beatles-eight-days-a-week-the-touring-years.md)
- *Winter's Tale* (2014), Director of Photography
- *Gangster Squad* (2013), Additional Photography
- *Jack Reacher* (2012), Director of Photography
- *Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter* (2012), Director of Photography
- *Killer Joe* (2012), Director of Photography
- *Dream House* (2011), Director of Photography
- *My Sister's Keeper* (2009), Director of Photography
- *Killshot* (2008), Director of Photography — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/killshot.md)
- *The Spiderwick Chronicles* (2008), Director of Photography
- *Conviction* (2006), series, Director
- *Ask the Dust* (2006), Director of Photography
- *Bones* (2005), series, Director — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Law & Order: Trial by Jury* (2005), series, Director
- *National Treasure* (2004), Director of Photography — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/national-treasure.md)
- *The Passion of the Christ* (2004), Director of Photography
- *Timeline* (2003), Director of Photography
- *The Hunted* (2003), Director of Photography
- *The Patriot* (2000), Director of Photography
- *Anna and the King* (1999), Director of Photography
- *Message in a Bottle* (1999), Director of Photography
- *Hope Floats* (1998), Director of Photography
- *Titanic* (1997), Additional Photography — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md)
- *Fly Away Home* (1996), Director of Photography
- *It Could Happen to You* (1994), Director of Photography
- *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md)
- *Crusoe* (1989), Director
- *The Slugger's Wife* (1985), Director of Photography
- *The Natural* (1984), Director of Photography — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-natural.md)
- *The Right Stuff* (1983), Director of Photography — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md)
- *The Black Stallion Returns* (1983), Additional Photography
- *Let's Spend the Night Together* (1982), Director of Photography
- *The Escape Artist* (1982), Director
- *Being There* (1979), Director of Photography — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/being-there.md)
- *The Black Stallion* (1979), Director of Photography — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-stallion.md)
- *More American Graffiti* (1979), Director of Photography
- *Apocalypse Now* (1979), Additional Director of Photography — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/apocalypse-now.md)
- *Trains* (1976), Director, Writer
- *A Woman Under the Influence* (1974), Additional Photography — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/a-woman-under-the-influence.md)
- *The Hello Machine* (1974), Cinematography
- *The Godfather* (1972), Additional Camera — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather.md)
- *THX 1138* (1971), Thanks
- *Lanton Mills* (1969), Director of Photography
- *Rodeo* (1969), Director of Photography

## Gallery

- ![I took this photo of Caleb Deschanel while he was in San Diego promoting the play he was directing. Please acknowledge "Phil Konstantin" as the creator of this  (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/61436/gallery-743b4287c9ae.jpg) I took this photo of Caleb Deschanel while he was in San Diego promoting the play he was directing. Please acknowledge "Phil Konstantin" as the creator of this  (2009) — Philkon Phil Konstantin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/CalebDeschanelByPhilKonstantin.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Caleb Deschanel on a set for The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/61436/gallery-06d6713d12c0.jpg) Caleb Deschanel on a set for The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) — Sean Devine at http://picasaweb.google.com/seanmdevine, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/CalebDeschanelSpiderwickChronicles.jpg/1280px-CalebDeschanelSpiderwickChronicles.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Caleb Deschanel](https://film.one/media/person/61436/gallery-7f3487fe34f5.jpg) Caleb Deschanel — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Caleb_Deschanel_-_The_Natural.jpg/1280px-Caleb_Deschanel_-_The_Natural.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Caleb Deschanel](https://film.one/media/person/61436/gallery-3564ad9590be.jpg) Caleb Deschanel — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 6 nominated

- 2019: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *Never Look Away*
- 2005: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *The Passion of the Christ*
- 2001: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *The Patriot*
- 1997: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *Fly Away Home*
- 1985: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *The Natural*
- 1984: Best Cinematography (nominated), for *The Right Stuff*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/caleb-deschanel