Bobby Brown

Bobby Brown, straight outta the Bronx, basically spent almost four decades lugging cameras and wrangling gear behind the scenes of some of Hollywood’s biggest flicks. You might not see his face in the credits scroll, but trust, if you’ve watched Ocean’s Eleven or Erin Brockovich, you’ve caught a glimpse of his handiwork. The guy started out as a camera assistant—first and second, which, if you know anything about film sets, means he was everywhere, all the time, making sure shots looked crisp and nothing got screwed up during those chaotic moments everyone else is losing their minds. He’s got this wild filmography that bounces from high-octane blockbusters like Volcano (yeah, that one with LA melting down), to classic dramas like The Natural—and let’s not forget the ‘90s holiday insanity of Jingle All The Way. Talk about range. It’s not just popcorn flicks, though. Bobby’s camera work shows up in moody crime pieces like State of Grace and a couple of those heavy-hitters that get critics all misty-eyed, like The Big Chill and ...And Justice For All. No Hollywood glitz for him—just a lot of hard work, long hours, and making sure the camera’s rolling when the magic happens. After 38 years of living out of gear cases, dodging egos, and probably surviving on way too much coffee, the guy finally hung up his walkie. But if you love movies, there’s a decent shot you’ve seen his work without even knowing it.