Floyd Delafield Crosby, ASC (December 12, 1899September 30, 1985) was an American cinematographer. He won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1931 for Tabu: A Story of the South Seas, his debut film, before going on to shoot over 120 productions in a career spanning over 40 years. Beginning in the 1950s, he was the regular cinematographer for Roger Corman, totaling 21 films together. He also worked with directors like Fred Zinnemann, John Sturges, and Buzz Kulik.
Crosby was the father of singer-songwriter David Crosby.
Early life
Floyd Delafield Crosby was born and raised in West Philadelphia, the son of Julia Floyd () and Frederick Van Schoonhoven Crosby. Through his maternal grandmother, he was descended from the prominent Van Rensselaer family.
Crosby worked at the New York Stock Exchange, before enrolling in the New York Institute of Photography.
Career
In 1927, he was hired by marine biologist William Beebe as a cameraman for his expedition to Haiti.
Personal life and death
On December 11, 1930, he married Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead. She was the daughter of John Brinton Whitehead. Together, they had two children:
- Ethan Crosby (1937–1997), a reclusive singer-songwriter
- David Crosby (1941–2023), a member of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Crosby divorced in 1960 and married Betty Cormack Andrews in the same year.
He retired in 1972 to Ojai, California,