Rodney Charters obit

Rodney Charters Dies: ‘24,’ ‘Shameless’ Cinematographer Was 80

 

He was not on the list.

Rodney Charters, the cinematographer who shot 184 episodes of 24 and helped craft the show’s distinct look, died suddenly in Amsterdam on September 13. The news was announced by the ASC, of which he was a longtime member. He was 80.

Charters’ work on the Kiefer Sutherland-starring thriller was structured to capture the energy and chaos of Jack Bauer’s 24-hour scramble each season.

“We’ve evolved to the point where we always shoot a scene in its entirety — it’s never broken into setups,” he told American Cinematographer in 2004. “We shoot two directions on every scene. We shoot one direction first, after it’s been blocked and staged by the cast privately, without even me present, which is a little uncommon in television. When we’re brought in, we have an understanding of what the scene is, but sometimes there are pleasant surprises. [Executive producer/director] Stephen [Hopkins] was a great one for saying, ‘Look at the scene and imagine where the camera would never be, and that’s where I want it.’ We’ll film and light in that direction for A camera, and B camera just strays off the axis.”

Charters was Emmy nominated in 2005 and 2006 for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series for his work on the show. He also directed three episodes.

His other work included a long list of high-profile shows, including Nash Bridges, The Commish, The Pretender, Rosewell, Nashville, Shameless, Friday the 13th: The Series, the Dallas, Dynasty and Magnum P.I. reboots as well as The Shannara Chronicles.

In 2013, the ASC honored him with its Career Achievement in Television Award.

Cinematographer

The Accused (2025)

The Accused

5.8

director of photography

2025

 

Queens of Christmas (2024)

Queens of Christmas

7.9

director of photography

2024

 

Too Many Christmases (2024)

Too Many Christmases

6.9

director of photography

2024

 

One Night Stay (2024)

One Night Stay

6.0

director of photography

2024

 

Tami Roman and Tichina Arnold in So Fly Christmas (2023)

So Fly Christmas

6.6

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2023

 

Jay Hernandez and Perdita Weeks in Magnum P.I. (2018)

Magnum P.I.

6.4

TV Series

director of photography

2018–2019

12 episodes

 

Grant Show, Daniella Alonso, Robert Christopher Riley, Elizabeth Gillies, Rafael de la Fuente, and Sam Adegoke in Dynasty (2017)

Dynasty

7.2

TV Series

director of photography

2017–2018

5 episodes

 

Jay-Z: Legacy (2017)

Jay-Z: Legacy

6.5

Short

Cinematographer

2017

 

Ivana Baquero, Austin Butler, and Poppy Drayton in The Shannara Chronicles (2016)

The Shannara Chronicles

7.1

TV Series

director of photographyCinematographer

2016–2017

3 episodes

 

Cierra Ramirez, Maia Mitchell, Noah Centineo, David Lambert, and Hayden Byerly in The Fosters (2013)

The Fosters

7.9

TV Series

director of photography

2017

1 episode

 

Gary Sinise, Alana De La Garza, Tyler James Williams, Daniel Henney, and Annie Funke in Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (2016)

Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders

6.2

TV Series

director of photography

2017

13 episodes

 

Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, and Michael Caine in Going in Style (2017)

Going in Style

6.6

director of photography

2017

 

Eric Dane in The Last Ship (2014)

The Last Ship

7.4

TV Series

Cinematographer

2016

6 episodes

 

After the End (2016)

After the End

8.0

TV Series

Consulting DP

2016

 

Alexandra Krosney in Self Promotion (2015)

Self Promotion

8.2

TV Movie

director of photography

2015

 

Kiefer Sutherland in Marked (2014)

Marked

6.7

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2014

 

A.M.P.A.S. Tribute Film: Jean Claude Carriere

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2014

 

Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Jordana Brewster, Linda Gray, Jesse Metcalfe, Brenda Strong, Julie Gonzalo, and Josh Henderson in Dallas (2012)

Dallas

7.2

TV Series

director of photography

2012–2014

18 episodes

 

The Mosaic of Life (2014)

The Mosaic of Life

Cinematographer

2014

 

Giancarlo Esposito, Erykah Badu, Rosario Dawson, Harry Lennix, Isaiah Washington, Jesse Williams, Michael Kenneth Williams, Bokeem Woodbine, and Nate Parker in They Die by Dawn (2013)

They Die by Dawn

5.0

Cinematographer

2013

 

William H. Macy, Steve Howey, Cameron Monaghan, Shanola Hampton, Jeremy Allen White, Ethan Cutkosky, and Emma Kenney in Shameless (2011)

Shameless

8.5

TV Series

director of photography

2011–2013

27 episodes

 

Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, and Kalee Zanella in Nashville (2012)

Nashville

7.7

TV Series

director of photography

2012

1 episode

 

Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor, and Annie Ilonzeh in Charlie's Angels (2011)

Charlie's Angels

4.4

TV Series

director of photography

2011

1 episode

 

David Strathairn, Ryan Cartwright, Laura Mennell, Malik Yoba, Warren Christie, and Azita Ghanizada in Alphas (2011)

Alphas

7.2

TV Series

director of photography

2011

1 episode

 

Kiefer Sutherland, Reiko Aylesworth, Carlos Bernard, Jude Ciccolella, Glenn Morshower, and Mary Lynn Rajskub in 24 (2001)

24

8.4

TV Series

director of photographyCinematographer

2001–2010

184 episodes

 

Indian Gangster

7.9

Short

Cinematographer

2009

 

Washington Field (2009)

Washington Field

6.8

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2009

 

Eliza Dushku in Dollhouse (2009)

Dollhouse

7.7

TV Series

director of photography

2009

1 episode

 

Kiefer Sutherland in 24: Redemption (2008)

24: Redemption

7.4

TV Movie

director of photography

2008

 

Night Life

6.4

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2008

 

The Rookie: Day 3 Extraction

9.0

TV Mini Series

Cinematographer

2008–2009

 

Jeremy Ray Valdez in The Rookie: CTU (2007)

The Rookie: CTU

7.0

TV Series

Cinematographer

2007–2008

 

Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front (2006)

Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front

6.7

TV Movie

director of photography

2006

 

24 (2001)

24 Season 5 Prequel

8.0

Video

director of photography

2005

 

24 Season 4 Prequel (2004)

24 Season 4 Prequel

8.0

Video

director of photography

2004

 

A Very Married Christmas (2004)

A Very Married Christmas

5.1

TV Movie

director of photography

2004

 

Raviv Ullman and Spencer Redford in Pixel Perfect (2004)

Pixel Perfect

5.6

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2004

 

Sounder (2003)

Sounder

6.4

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2003

 

Mischa Barton and Ryan Merriman in A Ring of Endless Light (2002)

A Ring of Endless Light

5.8

director of photography

2002

 

Roswell (1999)

Roswell

7.5

TV Series

director of photography

2000–2001

19 episodes

 

Kiss My Act (2001)

Kiss My Act

5.7

TV Movie

Cinematographer

2001

 

Andrea Parker and Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)

The Pretender

7.5

TV Series

director of photographyCinematographer

1997–2000

57 episodes

 

Dominique Swain in Intern (2000)

Intern

4.4

Cinematographer

2000

 

Joey Lawrence and Andrew Lawrence in Horse Sense (1999)

Horse Sense

6.2

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1999

 

Brink! (1998)

Brink!

7.0

TV Movie

director of photography

1998

 

Charles S. Dutton, Courtney B. Vance, Kadeem Hardison, and Garland Whitt in Blind Faith (1998)

Blind Faith

7.3

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1998

 

Brian Dennehy in Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (1997)

Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan

5.4

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1997

 

Kevin Sorbo in Kull: The Conqueror (1997)

Kull: The Conqueror

4.9

Cinematographer

1997

 

Don Johnson and Cheech Marin in Nash Bridges (1996)

Nash Bridges

6.8

TV Series

director of photography

1996

14 episodes

 

Adrian Pasdar in Profit (1996)

Profit

8.6

TV Series

Cinematographer

1996

3 episodes

 

Michael Biehn and Marg Helgenberger in Conundrum (1996)

Conundrum

5.4

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1996

 

Carl Lumbly in M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994)

M.A.N.T.I.S.

6.2

TV Series

director of photographyCinematographer

1994–1995

22 episodes

 

Michael Chiklis in The Commish (1991)

The Commish

7.1

TV Series

director of photography

1995

3 episodes

 

Peggy Lipton, Josie Bissett, and Gerald McRaney in Deadly Vows (1994)

Deadly Vows

6.0

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1994

 

George C. Scott as detective Joe Trapcheck in "TRAPS" 1993 CBS / MPTV

Traps

7.2

TV Series

director of photography

1994

5 episodes

 

TekWar: TekLords (1994)

TekWar: TekLords

5.9

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1994

 

The Babymaker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story (1994)

The Babymaker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story

5.6

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1994

 

TekWar (1994)

TekWar

5.8

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1994

 

Car 54, Where Are You? (1994)

Car 54, Where Are You?

2.6

Cinematographer

1994

 

Don Michael Paul, Nestor Serrano, James Tolkan, and Billy Warlock in The Hat Squad (1992)

The Hat Squad

7.4

TV Series

director of photography

1992–1993

11 episodes

 

Bonds of Love (1993)

Bonds of Love

5.9

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1993

 

Alex McArthur in The Fifth Corner (1992)

The Fifth Corner

3.5

TV Series

Cinematographerdirector of photography

1992

5 episodes

 

Joan Chen, Emma Samms, and Parker Stevenson in Shadow of a Stranger (1992)

Shadow of a Stranger

5.3

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1992

 

Sleepwalkers (1992)

Sleepwalkers

5.4

director of photography

1992

 

Robert Englund, Jack Coleman, and Lindsay Frost in Nightmare Cafe (1992)

Nightmare Cafe

7.0

TV Series

director of photography

1992

5 episodes

 

Sweet Poison (1991)

Sweet Poison

6.1

TV Movie

Cinematographer

1991

 

Fly by Night (1991)

Fly by Night

6.9

TV Series

director of photography

1991

3 episodes

 

Anthony Perkins, Olivia Hussey, and Henry Thomas in Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

Psycho IV: The Beginning

5.4

TV Movie

director of photography

1990

 

Friday the 13th: The Series (1987)

Friday the 13th: The Series

7.6

TV Series

Cinematographer

1987–1990

72 episodes

 

Juju Music (1987)

Juju Music

9.4

Cinematographer

1987

 

Screen Two (1984)

Screen Two

6.7

TV Series

director of photography

1987

1 episode

 

Ken Pogue, Winston Rekert, Dixie Seatle, and Jonathan Welsh in Adderly (1986)

Adderly

7.7

TV Series

21 episodes, season 1

1986–1988

 

Douglas John Cameron: Mona with the Children

Music Video

Cinematographer

1985

 

Film Exercise (1966)

Film Exercise

Short

Cinematographer

1966

 

Director

Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Jordana Brewster, Linda Gray, Jesse Metcalfe, Brenda Strong, Julie Gonzalo, and Josh Henderson in Dallas (2012)

Dallas

7.2

TV Series

Director

2013–2014

3 episodes

 

The Rookie: Day 3 Extraction

9.0

TV Mini Series

Director

2008–2009

 

Jeremy Ray Valdez in The Rookie: CTU (2007)

The Rookie: CTU

7.0

TV Series

Director

2007–2008

 

Kiefer Sutherland, Reiko Aylesworth, Carlos Bernard, Jude Ciccolella, Glenn Morshower, and Mary Lynn Rajskub in 24 (2001)

24

8.4

TV Series

Director

2003–2005

3 episodes

 

Roswell (1999)

Roswell

7.5

TV Series

Director

2001–2002

2 episodes

 

Andrea Parker and Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)

The Pretender

7.5

TV Series

Director

1998–2000

5 episodes

 

Kevin Sorbo in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995)

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

6.5

TV Series

Director

1997

1 episode

 

Friday the 13th: The Series (1987)

Friday the 13th: The Series

7.6

TV Series

Director

1989–1990

2 episodes

 

Douglas John Cameron: Mona with the Children

Music Video

Director

1985

 

Film Exercise (1966)

Film Exercise

Short

Director

1966

 

Camera and Electrical Department

Cierra Ramirez, Maia Mitchell, Noah Centineo, David Lambert, and Hayden Byerly in The Fosters (2013)

The Fosters

7.9

TV Series

additional photography

2017

1 episode

 

Don Johnson and Cheech Marin in Nash Bridges (1996)

Nash Bridges

6.8

TV Series

camera operator

1996–2001

 

Powers Boothe in Philip Marlowe, Private Eye (1983)

Philip Marlowe, Private Eye

7.7

TV Series

camera operator

1986

1 episode

 

Youngblood (1986)

Youngblood

6.2

second camera operator

1986

 

Bob White in Final Offer (1985)

Final Offer

7.9

TV Movie

additional cinematography

1985

 

The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985)

The Ray Bradbury Theater

7.3

TV Series

camera: second unit

1985

1 episode

 

Maze (1969)

Maze

4.9

Short

second cameraman

1969

 

Producer

The Travelling Movie Band

executive producer

2010

 

Lovers in a Dangerous Time (2009)

Lovers in a Dangerous Time

6.6

co-producer

2009

 

Editor

Film Exercise (1966)

Film Exercise

Short

Editor

1966

 

Sound Department

James Mason and Madhur Jaffrey in Autobiography of a Princess (1975)

Autobiography of a Princess

5.8

boom operator

1975

 

Additional Crew

Misplaced

Short

technical advisor

2012

 

Thanks

Marking Tomorrow

special thanks

Post-productionShort

 

Amy Alyson Fans (2011)

Amy Alyson Fans

6.2

special thanks

2011

 

Kevin Spacey and Daniel Wu in Inseparable (2011)

Inseparable

5.4

special thanks

2011

 

Shakey Grounds (2010)

Shakey Grounds

7.1

Short

special thanks

2010

 

Self

DJI - The new Ronin 4D (2021)

DJI - The new Ronin 4D

Video

Self

2021

 

Light & Shadow (2013)

Light & Shadow

7.7

Short

Self

2013

 

FilmFellas: A Webisodic Series (2009)

FilmFellas: A Webisodic Series

TV Series

Self

2010–2011

5 episodes

 

Australians Hit Hollywood

8.6

Self

2009

 

Kiefer Sutherland in 24: Redemption (2008)

The Making of '24: Redemption'

7.5

Video

Self

2008

 

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2008)

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

7.8

Self

2008

 

24 Season 5: Unsung Heroes

8.4

Video

Self

2006

 

Blood on the Tracks: Making '24: Season 4'

7.8

Short

Self

2005

 

24: Access All Areas

8.1

TV Movie

Self

2003

 

Pure 24

4.2

TV Series

Self - Phone Guest

2003

1 episode