When it comes to the classic glamour portraits we all know and love from Old Hollywood, George Hurrell captured the biggest names of his era and took some of the most iconic photos that are still treasured roughly nine decades later. He was one of the most sought-after artists and without him, entertainment history would be remembered quite differently.
George Hurrell’s photographic style described simply would be dramatic, high-contrast, and ultra glamorous.
Becoming the portrait photographer at a major production studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, otherwise known as MGM, towards the end of 1929 changed the trajectory of Hurrell’s career immensely. Actress Norma Shearer assisted in securing the position. Her husband, head of production at MGM, Irving Thalberg, passed on casting her in a role she had her heart set on citing that she wasn’t sexy in the way the role would require. Enlisting Hurrell to capture photos of her that would change Irving’s mind worked. Shearer landed the role, won an Academy Award for her portrayal in the film, and George Hurrell obtained a job offer.
Hurrell left MGM on June 15, 1932, and began a freelance career for six years until accepting a head portrait photographer position at Warner Bros in 1938. During World War II, George Hurrell became a staff photographer at the Pentagon.
Some of the entertainers George Hurrell is most commonly associated with photographing are Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow, Humphrey Bogart, and Rita Hayworth. Though, it is hard to think of someone he didn’t work with at least once. A 1990 review in The New York Times by Andy Grundberg provided this perfect quote summing up the legacy of Hurrell – “His pictures came to define Hollywood glamour photography, not to mention the dreams of millions of star-struck moviegoers.”
One of the last major sessions of George Hurrell’s career was a promotional photoshoot for the 1991 film, “Bugsy,” with Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
George continued to work steadily throughout the twentieth century up until his passing on May 17, 1992. According to his estate website, when the doctor told him he had just a day or two left to live, he replied, “Well, the party is over. Time to go home.”
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Sources and great resources to learn more: Official George Hurrell Estate Website, ICP, The New York Times, Criterion
Dominique Benedict is the founder and owner of Breakfast At Dominique’s. Her favorite topics include classic everything from movies to music to cars and the 90s film, Dazed and Confused.