Nick McLean

Early life and education

McLean was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of George McLean ( and Dorothy Jane (née Scott) and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He attended North Hollywood High School. McLean's family was highly involved in the entertainment industry. His uncle was an actor and his step-father, Fred Jackman, Jr., son of the second president of the ASC, was a cinematographer. McLean attended USC on a football scholarship. He then opened a pool hall and a body and fender shop in Van Nuys, California.

Career

McLean's step-father introduced him to the camera department at Columbia Pictures. McLean got his first job in 1966 as a clapper boy on a television series called 'The Iron Horse'. He worked 10 days during the first year and one day the next year.

In 1969 McLean became a second assistant cameraman at Universal Studios, working on many difference shows. The first feature film that he worked on was 'Red Sky at Morning' with Vilmos Zsigmond. Vilmos promoted Nick to operator. He did all the aerials on his films, and also on some commercials even after he became a cinematographer. McLean's first movie as a cinematographer was 'Stroker Ace'. Burt Reynolds then asked Nick to shoot 'Evening Shade', which became a highly popular sit-com.

McLean continued to work on various film and television projects, as camera operator, cinematographer and director of photography.

In 2002 McLean received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Cinematography in a Multicamera Series for his work on Friends.

Family

McLean has an older brother, Steve McLean, who is a Camera Operator, a sister, Linda, who has done some various acting work, a son Nicholas S. McLean, who is a 1st Camera Assistant and a daughter, Shay McLean, who is a Singer/Songwriter/Actress. His wife, Karen, is an Animal Wrangler for many films, television shows and commercials. He also has one granddaughter and two grandsons.

Filmography

Television

Films as camera assistant/operator

Television as director

Miscellaneous