King Baggot (cinematographer)

Stephen King Baggot, ASC (born 1943) is an American cinematographer. Baggot is a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, a mark of prestige and distinction. He is the grandson of the actor/director of the early 20th century, King Baggot.

He is the son of Robert King Baggot (July 11, 1914–May 18, 1965) and Miriam "Mimi" Cornely (born c. 1917). His brother is Bruce Baggot (born June 5, 1947). His father, also known as King Baggot, was a cameraman. While filming offshore background footage for the Disney movie Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N., near Poipu, Hawaii, his 16-foot outboard boat was hit by a huge wave, throwing him into a heavy surf. He was rescued from the water, but died of his injuries. Stephen King Baggot's mother married again on July 7, 1966, to Arthur P. Landberg (1916–1999).

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, King Baggot worked as a TV news portable field cameraman at KABC in Los Angeles. While there, he covered the murders of actress Sharon Tate and her friends by the Manson cult. He was one of the TV crewmen who discovered the bloody clothes discarded by the murderers, and is mentioned in the book Helter Skelter. Baggot was called to testify during the trial and identified the various items of apparel.

On May 25, 1968, he and Marilyn M. Thompson (born c. 1944) were married in Los Angeles. They have two sons, Joseph King Baggot (born April 4, 1971) and Michael R. Baggot (born August 25, 1973).

Baggot began his Hollywood career as a cameraman on the 1980 movies American Gigolo and Defiance. Noted for his steadicam specialty, and his ability to direct the action, he was hired as cinematographer for Cheech & Chong's Next Movie and went on to work on a number of movies, including The Hand, The Last Starfighter, Revenge of the Nerds and Gotcha!

King Baggot lives in Southern California.

Filmography

Television filmography